July 22, 2010

The newest application for Aircelle’s Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine nacelle package played a starring role at the Farnborough International Airshow this week with the formal handover of Airbus’ no. 1 A330-200F freighter to a customer.

This aircraft was received by Etihad Airways, which will place the A330-200F in service with its Etihad Crystal Cargo operation during September.

Aircelle is responsible for assembly of the A330’s “podded” Trent 700 engines, which are built up using its in-house produced thrust reverser, along with the air inlet, cowl doors and common nozzle assembly provided by other suppliers.

The thrust reverser is produced at the Burnley, England factory of Aircelle, and shipped to the company’s podding facility in Colomiers, France – where the complete nacelle system is integrated on Trent 700 engines and delivered to the nearby Airbus A330 final assembly line.

As the only modern mid-size, long-haul commercial cargo jetliner on the market today, the A330-200F is designed as a replacement for ageing mid-sized, long-haul freighters. This newest version of the A330 jetliner family also offers the opportunity for freight carriers to grow frequencies in under-served markets, while providing a highly efficient solution in providing a dedicated all-cargo solution in place of “combi” passenger/cargo aircraft.