A330-200F

September 2011 marks one year since the world’s most modern mid-size freighter – Airbus’ A330-200F – entered service with Etihad Crystal Cargo. Over the time period, this aircraft rapidly established itself as a highly efficient and profitable cargo lift solution for operators around the globe – underscored by a reliability rate of more than 99.4 per cent while flying on short- to long-haul missions.

Customers have praised the A330-200F for its outstanding flexibility, which is further enhanced by the freighter’s full operational commonality with Airbus’ fly-by-wire family of single-aisle and widebody jetliners. In addition, the A330-200F’s large main-deck cargo door allows the aircraft to accept all commonly-used pallets and containers, enabling the transport of a full range of cargo – from high-value consumer goods to express packages and perishables. 

With the capacity and range to profitably serve growing global cargo markets, the A330-200F offers significant opportunities to grow frequencies in underserved markets at no additional cost per tonne.

The A330-200F flies 20 per cent further and has a cost per tonne 13 per cent lower than its direct competitor. It is the only mid-size, long-haul all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 65 tonnes of payload over 4000 nautical miles, or 70 tonnes up to 3200 nautical miles in the payload mode configuration.

Overall flexibility has been enhanced with the introduction of Airbus’ versatile main-deck cargo loading system, which can accommodate all industry-standard containers and pallets – enabling operators to serve the freight lift needs of varying markets.

The A330-200F can transport up to 23 side-by-side pallets on its main deck, with flexibility for additional arrangements such as single-row loading of 16 pallets, and a mix of 9 AMA containers with four pallets. The spacious lower-deck cargo hold accepts up to 26 LD3 containers, plus 19.7 cubic metres of bulk cargo.

This modern cargo jetliner utilises a wide range of innovations that make it the most economical and ecological freighter in service today. Among these cost-reducing features are the aircraft’s reinforced fuselage and doors, which increase shear and bending/running loads; its use of the latest in eco-efficient engine technologies for reduced CO2 emissions and noise levels; along with a “glass cockpit” and advanced navigation systems for enhanced flight operations.