Air Greenland takes delivery of its first ever A330-800

Air Greenland has taken delivery of an Airbus A330-800 widebody aircraft, becoming the latest operator of the type. The A330neo will replace previous-generation aircraft in the company’s fleet, reducing operating cost, improving environmental efficiency. It will comfortably accommodate 305 passengers, featuring 42 premium-class seats and 263 economy-class seats.

To underline the business’ sustainability strategy the delivery flight will be powered by a 30% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The first deployment of the A330neo will be between Greenland and Denmark, adding North American and European routes at a later date.

The A330neo is the latest generation version of the popular A330 widebody. Incorporating cutting edge Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and a range of aerodynamic innovations, the aircraft offers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. The A330-800 is capable of flying 8,150 nautical miles non-stop.

Jacob Nitter Sørensen, Air Greenland CEO, said: “The Trent 7000 is the latest in engine technology and will ensure Air Greenland has a modern, efficient, and the most sustainable platform possible for years to come.”

Ewen McDonald, Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace chief customer officer, said: “We are proud to power Air Greenland’s first A330neo, which is not only a great addition to their fleet but to Greenland overall. The inaugural flight shows Air Greenland’s commitment to building a more sustainable operation and we are committed to supporting them in operating this excellent aircraft, to bring sustainability, efficiency, and connectivity.”

The Trent 7000, which first entered service in November 2018, builds on the unsurpassed performance of the Trent 700 combined with the engine technology of the Trent XWB. Benefitting from the highest bypass ratio of any Trent engine, the Trent 7000 offers a 14% fuel burn improvement per seat compared to its predecessor and will significantly reduce aircraft noise. It is already certified to operate on a 50% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and will be certified to run on 100% SAF soon.

At the end of October 2022, the A330 family had registered a total of over 1,700 firm orders of which 275 are A330neos from 24 customers.