Brussels Airlines in partnership with parent company the Lufthansa Group is replacing seven of its 10 Airbus A330 long-haul aircraft over the next two years with the A330-300 CEO.
The very first A330 with tail number OO-SFN successfully left the Brussels Airlines fleet on 13 November. In December, the phase out of OO-SFM is planned, followed by OO-SFO, OO-SFY, OO-SFV, OO-SFW and OO-SFU in the course of 2019 and 2020.
The first two new aircraft OO-SFC and OO-SFB have started their operations in November. The fleet renewal program will gradually take place in the months to come and be finalised by the beginning of 2020.
The investment project is the biggest in the 16-year long history of the airline and the first time ever it is operating long-haul aircraft that are owned and not leased.
With the new long-haul aircraft, Brussels Airlines said it will be able to offer its customers even more comfort, with quieter, more efficient and environmentally friendlier aircraft.
Besides new aircraft, the airline is also investing in an entirely new cabin interior for all three travel classes on all intercontinental flights to Africa and the North Atlantic.
Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa assessed the current and future intercontinental network of the Brussels-based airline, as well as at its capacity need for both passengers and cargo and the available aircraft on the market, it was decided last year to go for A330-300 CEO series.
From an economic and operational point of view, they determined this aircraft type is the best fit for Brussels Airlines as it brings many benefits such as a significantly higher range than its current Airbus A330 fleet and a higher maximum take-off weight offering more freight capacity.
