Airbus received the type certification for the A330-900 from the European   
   aviation authority EASA on Wednesday. This means the delivery of the first   
   airplane to launch customer TAP Portugal is a step closer. This must happen   
   within a few weeks.   
       
   The aircraft manufacturer expects to receive the type certificate from the   
   American FAA in the near future. After that step, nothing stands in the way of   
   commercial commissioning.   
       
   The A330-900 is the largest variant of the A330neo (New Engine Option),   
   equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The aircraft is based on the   
   existing A330-300. The smaller A330-800 is based on the A330-200.   
       
   In addition to the economical new engines, the modified wing design is also an   
   important improvement of the A330neo compared to the original A330. According   
   to Airbus, these adjustments make the A330neo 25 percent more efficient than   
   aircraft of the same size of the previous generation.   
       
   The first A330-900 for TAP has already completed a demonstration tour   
   involving twelve countries worldwide. Together with two other A330-900 test   
   aircraft, 1,400 flight hours have been made since the maiden flight of the   
   A330neo on 19 October 2017.   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.99 SR33   
    * Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)