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Week ending November 17, 2002
+++ European Advisory Group Presents Strategic Research Agenda +++ Boeing rolls out 777-300ER +++ ESA's Belgian astronaut returns from Odissea mission +++ 300th EC 120B delivered +++ Boeing delivers 100th C-17 to U.S. Air Force +++ OHB studies combined SAR-Lupe/Helios system +++ EADS: Aussichten verschlechtern sich +++ News in brief +++
European Advisory Group Presents Strategic Research Agenda
Forschungsziele für Europa definiert
The EU Commission-sponsored Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) presented the findings of its first year of work in a comprehensive Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) in Brussels. It is the first time in EU history that government representatives, industry and research have jointly developed and endorsed a R&D plan for the aeronautics sector. The report addresses the challenges that aviation faces in its 3rd generation, the age of sustainable growth. In spite of the events of 11th September 2001, air traffic will continue to grow. This will increase noise, emissions, congestion, delays and inconvenience. The Strategic Research Agenda aims to optimize research efforts to make air travel safer, cleaner, quieter, more affordable and more secure. The Agenda calls for an overall research investment of up to _100 billion over 20 years. It also makes a case for joint research projects with technology integration platforms for testing and adopting new technologies, large-scale research test-beds and technological incubators. "By investing more money and more wisely in research, European aeronautics can simultaneously respond to society's needs and achieve global leadership," said EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin. "The Strategic Research Agenda is a first step towards implementing the January 2001 'European Aeronautics: a vision for 2020' report. It lays the foundation for meeting ambitious but achievable objectives.
"Within the 6th EU Research Framework Program (FP6 2003-2006) we will devote _1,075 billion to aerospace research. We have received several ideas for aeronautics research topics and this highlights that parties are keen to pool resources to launch integrated projects and networks of excellence in this field. We have bright engineers, excellent research centers and world leading companies. We now need to get organized and join forces across Europe to reach critical mass at EU level and lead the sector at the global level.” ACARE's Agenda is a response to the July 2002 "STAR 21" report, a strategic aerospace review for the 21st Century, that elaborates on how to create a coherent market and policy framework for a vibrant European aerospace industry.
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Boeing rolls out 777-300ER
Neue Langstreckenversion der 777-300
In front of a crowd of more than 4,000 guests that included employees, suppliers, partners and airline customers, Boeing unveiled the fourth member of the Boeing 777 family, the 777-300ER (extended range) jetliner. "This is an exciting time for Boeing and the 777," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our original vision of growing the 777 program into a family of five models that safely and efficiently serve the needs of our customers is becoming a reality. The Longer-Range 777s are available in two sizes. The 777-300ER carries 365 passengers up to 7,250 nautical miles (13,427 kilometers); and the 777-200LR can carry 301 passengers 8,865 nautical miles (16,417 kilometers). Both airplanes are powered by the world's most powerful commercial jet engine, the GE90-115B. GEAE is the sole producer of engines for the 777-200LR and 777-300ER airplanes. The rollout ceremony was held at the Boeing final assembly plant in Everett, Wash., and featured remarks by Mulally, Calhoun and Lars Andersen, Boeing Longer-Range 777 program manager. The airplane was unveiled in a dramatic ceremony where gigantic banners with the numbers "777" were dropped from the factory ceiling to reveal the airplane. A striking red, white and blue paint scheme incorporates for the first time elements of the Boeing livery on the underbelly of a new airplane. With first flight now scheduled to occur in the late January to mid-February timeframe, flight-test employees are putting final touches on the systems that will be used to monitor and evaluate the airplane. The 12 month flight-test program will include up to 1,000 of ground and 1,600 hours of flight testing. Ground tests already have begun. The first 777-300ER is scheduled to be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp., and to ILFC's customer Air France in April 2004.
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ESA's Belgian astronaut returns from Odissea mission
Soyuz landet wieder in Russland
ESA astronaut Frank De Winne came back to Earth today (Sunday, 10 November 2002) after a successful Soyuz mission to the International Space Station involving nine days of ground- breaking scientific research and the delivery of a brand new TMA-1 Soyuz spacecraft. Odissea - following the equally successful Marco Polo mission last April with ESA's Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori - is the latest in a series of European manned missions to the Space Station. The Odissea mission crew - Frank De Winne and the Russians Sergei Zaletin, Soyuz Mission Commander, and Yuri Lonchakov, Soyuz Flight Engineer – flew into orbit on the first ever flight of the new Soyuz model TMA and returned in the old TM-34 Soyuz that had been attached to the Space Station as an emergency return vehicle for the last six months. Safely descending to Earth in their Soyuz TM-34 capsule, the crew ended a 11-day mission with a flawless night landing near the town of Arkalyk on the plains of Kazakhstan at 06:04 local time (00:04 GMT).During his nine-day stay on the Space Station, De Winne worked on a substantial programme of 23 scientific experiments. These included four physical science experiments for which De Winne made use of the newly installed Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) research facility – an important piece of hardware designed and developed by Europe located in the US laboratory. On his second day on the Space Station, Saturday, 2 November 2002, he also had the pleasure of taking part in celebrations to mark the second anniversary of the beginning of permanent habitation of the Station by resident crews.
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300th EC 120B delivered
Eurocopter übergibt 300. EC 130B Colibri
On November 8, 2002, Eurocopter International Pacific (EIP) delivered the 300th EC120B s/n 1300 to a property developer in Queensland. The handover ceremony took place at Brisbane Airport and was attended by Eurocopter Executives, Customers and the Media. Four years have passed since the first EC120B was delivered in 1998. Now with the 300th EC120B being delivered in Queensland it further promotes Eurocopter's presence in the region. There are currently 18 EC120B's flying in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Region. These aircraft as well as 258 other model Eurocopter helicopters are being supported by EIP facilities in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Boeing delivers 100th C-17 to U.S. Air Force
100. C-17-Transporter fertig gestellt
Boeing delivered its 100th C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the U.S. Air Force in a ceremony at its Long Beach, Calif., facility. The advanced airlifters, delivered at a rate of 15 per year, are pressed into service as quickly as they join the growing Air Force fleet of C-17s. Aircraft 100 departs today for its new home at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. where it is likely to being worldwide service within a week. With four C-17s operated by the United Kingdom Royal Air Force added to three early flight test models, today's 93rd production aircraft for the U.S. Air Force brings the combined fleet to the century mark. On August 15, the U.S. Air Force signed an agreement with Boeing to produce an additional 60 C-17s for $9.7 billion, extending the production run to 180 airplanes at the Long Beach site through 2008. More than 700 suppliers worldwide are part of the C-17 team.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
OHB studies combined SAR-Lupe/Helios system
Europäische Aufklärungssatelliten im Verbund
The Bremen-based aeronautics company OHB-System AG has received an order from the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement to conduct a study on the "Europeanization of the user ground segment of SAR-Lupe”. In this connection, OHB-System, which is developing and constructing SAR-Lupe in its capacity as one of the main contractors, will produce a concept by July 2003 permitting France to co-use the German SAR-Lupe radar system while giving Germany access to the HELIOS II optical system. The decision to develop this combined system known as E-SGA goes back to a statement issued at the German-French summit in Mainz on June 9, 2000: "Germany and France intend to establish an independent European satellite-based system. To this end, Germany will procure an all-weather radar satellite system, while France will contribute its optical satellite system. This bilateral initiative will provide the basis for a European system which other European partners may also join”.The user ground segments of SAR-Lupe and Helios II are to be utilized as the core element of a European-wide strategic reconnaissance system. To this end, the E-SGA study will be identifying the aspects of the SAR-Lupe ground segment requiring technical modifications and extensions. At the same time, a corresponding budget and schedule will be produced. Preliminary parts of the system are to be available at the end of 2004, when Helios II goes into operation. The first SAR-Lupe satellites are scheduled for launch at the beginning of 2005.
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EADS: Aussichten verschlechtern sich
Geringere Gewinnerwartungen bei EADS
EADS, the world's second largest aerospace and defence company, maintains the expected level of profitability. During the first nine months of 2002, EADS Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT, pre-goodwill and exceptionals) were Euro 1,013 million compared to Euro 1,123 million recorded in the same period of 2001. This result was achieved despite the general market downturn in civil aerospace and higher Research and Development (R&D) costs. The result also confirms the company's forecast for the full year. EADS published its report Thursday, covering the first nine months of the 2002 business year. In July 2002, EADS had increased its EBIT forecast for the current year by 20 percent to Euro 1.4 billion. In the fourth quarter, particularly the Aeronautics and the Defence and Civil Systems divisions will contribute to the EADS results, due to the special seasonal character of these businesses. A Euro 108 million award granted by an arbitration panel in the context of an arbitration with Thales has not been taken into account in EADS' EBIT forecast for 2002. "Our vision for the future is driving our product offering and our profitability," the CEOs emphasized. "Programmes like the A380 and our focus on innovative Defence solutions will generate lasting future growth for EADS." Full year revenues target confirmed
The order intake of Euro 22.3 billion during the first nine months of 2002 stayed higher than revenues. As a result, the order book remains strong at Euro 177 billion as at end September 2002 (Euro 183 billion as at end December 2001), representing over five years of revenues. Airbus confirmed its strong market position by booking 150 new aircraft orders since the beginning of 2002. EADS expects the order book to grow substantially in the near future, primarily driven by recent successes such as the 120 aircraft for easyJet and the mission aircraft for Brazil. The anticipated defence programmes will also add to the order book, such as the A400M, the UK Skynet 5 satellite project, and the Meteor missile programme. As the year-end gets closer, there is an increasing possibility that the A400M and Meteor orders will only be added to the order book in 2003. However, this does not change Group EBIT forecast for 2002.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
SWISS was forced to announce the closure of its Crossarc subsidiary to the company's employees today. Negotiations are still under way with a potential purchaser of the facility's New Fabrications unit. Their successful conclusion could save a number of the jobs concerned. The Repair unit will, however, be closed in its entirety. It is hoped to offer alternative employment to all the personnel affected. For those who cannot be further employed, a severance benefits package has been devised. Crossair Engine Repair (Crossarc) is a repair and service operation specialising in aircraft powerplants. Some 60 per cent of the company's revenues were generated by its service and repair activities, while 40 per cent derived from the production of new components. The company sustained a sizable loss last year as a result of low demand for its services. Indeed, Crossair warned in its letter to shareholders of summer 2001 that a decision would need to be taken on the company's future at the end of the year in view of the continued lack of business. The staff of Crossarc, which is located on the Sulzer site in Oberwinterthur, near Zurich, have been on short-time working since the beginning of 2002. Crossarc currently employs 48 full-time personnel.+++
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $22 million contract initiating the B-2 radar Pathfinder program. This is the first phase of a multiyear program that will retrofit the B-2 Bomber fleet with a new Ku Band active array radar antenna. The total program value to Raytheon is approximately $575 million, including the remaining development work and the upcoming production contract. The majority of the radar work will be done in El Segundo, Calif., and Dallas, Texas. Raytheon will perform as the primary subcontractor to Northrop Grumman Corporation.
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The United States Government, supported by Lockheed Martin, submitted its offer to the Polish Government of the Advanced Block 52 F-16C/D aircraft in Poland's tender for 48 new multirole aircraft for the Polish Air Force. The offer is a complete, comprehensive and competitive offer that lays the foundation for the development of a long-term strategic relationship between Poland and the United States, militarily, politically and economically. The Advanced Block 52 F-16C/D offered to Poland will be the most advanced F-16 flying in Europe and will provide Poland with the most capable multirole fighter in NATO. Together with the aircraft the U.S. Government will propose a completely integrated and highly advanced weapons package, spares and support as well as a training program with the most experienced and best air force in the world - that of the United States. At the same time, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, along with its industrial partners, have proposed to the Polish Ministry of Economy a comprehensive industrial cooperation program, consisting of more than 80 potential projects with a total economic value of over $8 billion. In line with the requirements of Polish law, Lockheed Martin will guarantee a minimum of 100% of the total program value in offset. The offset program will allow Polish defense and civilian industries to form strong relationships with members of the F-16 industrial team as well as other leading companies from the United States, the most developed and technologically advanced economy in the world.
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Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that the second T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer has successfully completed its initial flight. The 47-minute flight was conducted from KAI's facility at Sachon, South Korea. "Our flight test program is progressing well," said S.S. Jang, director of KAI's T-50 Development Center. "With this second aircraft, we will be able to increase our sortie rate and accomplish an expanded set of flight test objectives." The flight on Nov. 8 met all its goals of checking airworthiness, basic systems operation and handling qualities of the aircraft. Test instrumentation and telemetry were also verified. All systems functioned properly with no anomalies. The test pilot was Lt. Col. Cho, Gwang-Je of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), who flew the initial flight in the first T-50. Maximum conditions attained during flight were a calibrated airspeed of 250 knots and an altitude of 15,000 feet.
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Raytheon Company and the U.S. Navy successfully completed the second demonstration test flight (DT-1) of the Raytheon-produced Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile Nov. 10 at the Naval Air Systems Command western test range complex in southern California. "The resounding success of DT-1 and the entire test flight program demonstrates that the U.S. Navy-Raytheon team will be delivering to the war fighter a strike weapon with transformational capabilities," said Capt. Bob Novak, U.S. Navy Tomahawk All-up Round program manager.
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The launch date of 28 November has been announced for Europe's new 10-tonne launcher. Preparations are well underway at Europe's spaceport in French Guiana where a series of simulated countdowns have been successfully carried out. The new Ariane 5, dubbed Ariane 10 tonnes, consists of a new cryogenic upper stage powered by the tried and trusted HM-7B engine used on the Ariane-4 launcher. To date Ariane 4 has made more than 100 trouble-free flights, earning it the nickname of the Ariane workhorse. Developed by ESA with the support of its Member States, Ariane 10 tonnes confirms the growth potential built into the original design of the Ariane 5 launcher. For the first time, Europe will now be able to place into geostationary orbit a payload weighing more than 10 tonnes. Ariane 10 tonnes is also good news for potential customers as they will be able to launch heavier satellites, and/or share a launch with another customer and pay less to orbit each kilogramme.
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Bombardier Aerospace has chosen Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems LED technology for the internal and external lighting needs on its new Bombardier Global 5000 high speed, intercontinental business jet. According to Franz-Josef Beermann, Director Sales & Marketing for lighting, "Our history of bringing innovative lighting systems to the market was a key factor in Bombardier's choice of our products for the Bombardier Global 5000. LED technology is the next generation in aircraft lighting." LED-based systems can lower direct maintenance costs and lengthen maintenance time between unscheduled repairs. LED technology also allows for smaller designs which weigh less and require less power. Bombardier Aerospace is leveraging all of these benefits for its new aircraft. First deliveries of the lighting systems are expected in early 2003. The Bombardier Global 5000 is scheduled to enter service at the end of 2004.
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US Air Force officials announced Nov. 7 a potential cost overrun of up to $690 million in the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the F/A-22 program. The potential overrun appears to be related to achieving cost and schedule in the developmental phase of the program, officials said. It is not related to its technology or performance. The aircraft continues to perform superbly in all tests and remains on schedule for first aircraft delivery in 2004 and initial operational capability in 2005 as planned, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper. Dr. Marvin Sambur, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, has appointed a team of technical and financial experts from industry and the Air Force to investigate the matter, determine its magnitude, and recommend steps to mitigate further problems. The team, led by John Ogg, director of the engineering and technical management directorate at the Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, will report initial findings later this month. "The F/A-22 is essential to America's security in the 21st century, and we will get to the bottom of this issue, " Jumper said.
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Indonesian telecommunications capability is set for a boost as Arianespace announces the signing of a satellite launch contract for the Telkom-2 satellite with the telecommunications company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia. The contract was signed in Jakarta by Mr. Kristiono, President Director and CEO of PT Telkom Tbk, and Mr Jean-Yves Le Gall, CEO of Arianespace. Telkom-2 is the 250th satellite contract in Arianespace's history, and the 45th to be signed in Asia since 1984. Telkom-2 will be lofted by an Ariane 5 in the second half of 2004 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It is the second satellite entrusted by Telkom to Arianespace after Telkom-1, which was successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana, on August 12, 1999, and the fourth in total for Indonesia, following the Palapa C-2 in 1996, Cakrawarta-1 in 1997 and Telkom-1.
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The Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Raytheon Company a $16.5 million contract for the low-rate initial production of four AN/AQS-22 dipping sonars. "This award confirms Raytheon's technology leadership in antisubmarine warfare. In partnership with our industry and Navy teammates, we are providing the very best airborne antisubmarine warfare system capability for the naval war fighter," said Dan Smith, Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems vice president and deputy. The AN/AQS-22 will be used by the new MH-60R helicopter for undersea warfare missions including submarine detection, tracking, localization and classification; acoustic interception; underwater communications; and environmental data acquisition. Sikorsky Aircraft and Lockheed Martin produce the MH-60R. The contract includes associated engineering, testing and program management services.
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The Administration is preparing a change to its Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 budget to implement a new Integrated Space Transportation Plan (ISTP) and ensure the International Space Station is properly financed and better positioned to achieve its scientific research priorities. NASA believes it is important to move forward in a highly integrated way to assure access to and from the International Space Station and Low Earth Orbit. This change is part of a continuing effort to ensure programs and budgets, developed to carry out NASA's vision and mission, are responsible, credible, and compelling. The new direction reflects important changes to NASA's five-year budget plan, within the totals contained in the President's FY 2003 Budget. It is based on multiple studies, undertaken over the past few years, including the extensive work conducted under the Space Launch Initiative (SLI). The new plan will be sent to Congress soon. SLI was designed to identify feasible options for future NASA space transportation. Having accomplished this objective, and using study results conducted in preparation for a 2003 System Requirements Review (SRR), NASA has selected a robust and flexible approach to meeting space transportation needs through the new ISTP.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a type approval certificate for the 86-seat Bombardier CRJ900, the newest and largest model in Bombardier's family of industry leading regional jets. Type Recommendation from Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities is expected to follow in the near future. Transport Canada awarded the Bombardier CRJ900 Aircraft Type Approval on Sept. 9, 2002. The Bombardier CRJ900 will be the first of the new 90-seat class jetliners to market when Mesa Air Group in the United States begins operations under the America West Express banner in early 2003. Mesa has placed firm orders for 20 Bombardier CRJ900 while GECAS also of the United States has placed firm orders for 10 of the aircraft. Mesa already operates 32 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200* and two 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.
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International Launch Services (ILS) and Hellas-Sat, a Greek-Cypriot consortium, have signed a contract to launch the Hellas-Sat satellite on an Atlas V rocket early next year. Financial terms were not disclosed. The contract follows the successful inaugural launch of the Lockheed Martin-built Atlas V from Cape Canaveral, Fla., in August. All Atlas variants boast first-flight success. The Atlas family of launch vehicles has a record of 62 consecutive successful flights spanning nine years.
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The V-22 Integrated Test Team recently surpassed 100 hours flown since the program's return to flight in late May of this year. The milestone was reached by Osprey No. 10 on a three-hour test flight crewed by Maj. Shawn Healy, Maj. Paul Ryan, and Staff Sgt. Michael Snyder.While justifiably proud of reaching the 100-hour milestone, the V-22 program isn't about to slacken its intensity. In the coming months the ITT will be executing the High Rate of Decent (HROD) test plan as well as accepting their fifth aircraft from the Bell-Boeing plant in Amarillo, Texas. "Passing the 100-hour mark is a big step toward proving the V-22 is a safe aircraft," Madenwald said, "but it's just one step. We're not going to let up until the Osprey is supporting the fleet, and even then we'll still be around to help it realize its full potential. The V-22 is an amazing airplane."
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Gripen International, wholly owned by SAAB AB of Sweden and the United Kingdom's BAE Systems, submitted the official proposal to meet Poland's air defense & NATO cooperation needs for the next 30 years to the Polish Government. The Gripen team is pleased to announce that the offer is not only fully compliant with the Request for Proposal (RFP) - it will exceed the requirements in a number of key areas. "We are confident that our proposal offers exceptional value for money", says Björn Magnusson, Gripen International Director for Poland. "Gripen is the world's most future oriented and cost effective multirole fighter aircraft in operational service today. In addition, our comprehensive program of industrial cooperation will secure long term, viable business in Poland, integrating it in the EU and US industrial networks", he stated.
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On 6th November, the Defence Committee (DC) of the Hungarian National Assembly held a session, where it was informed on the Gripen program and its probable modification by the representatives of the defence portfolio. Imre Iváncsik, Political Secretary of State of the MoD and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Nándor Hollósi, the chief advisor of the minister of defence presented to the MPs the details concerning the leasing and the capabilities of the JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft. Upon Hungarian request, the Swedish party will submit a proposal for the modification of the original agreement at the meeting of the procurement bureau leaders of the two ministries of defence on 19th December in Budapest. The briefing made clear that, among other factors, the expected modification is necessitated by the fact that, besides being NATO compatible, the Gripens must have the capabilities for interoperability, i. e. for the participation in joint operations.
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BAE Systems multi-stage warhead demonstrated its effectiveness during recent testing of the U.S. Navy's Joint Standoff Weapon Unitary variant (JSOW-C). The company's Broach warhead permitted the weapon to completely perforate a steel-reinforced concrete target during sled testing conducted at the Supersonic Naval Ordnance Research Tracks facility at China Lake, California, Oct. 23. The sled test follows three successful free flights highlighting the weapon's imaging infrared terminal seeker (IIR) and autonomous targeting acquisition (ATA) technology, demonstrating miss distances of less than 43 inches. The IIR seeker provides precision terminal accuracy of JSOW-C. In February 2002, BAE Systems successfully completed a contractor sled test at the Pendine, Wales test range.
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The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced today the awarding of six contracts, worth a total of $930,000, to Canadian space companies for developing generic small-satellite and micro-satellite buses to meet the future needs of the Canadian space program. These contracts, announced at the ASTRO 2002 conference, have been awarded to Bristol Aerospace Limited, EMS Technologies, COM DEV International, Space Quest, and Dynacon. This announcement marks the launch by the CSA of a small and micro-satellite program that will oversee the activities of Canadian satellite missions for the next ten years. To reduce costs, the program includes the development of a satellite platform designed to accommodate both scientific and technology-demonstration missions.
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The U.S. Air Force has successfully integrated the LITENING Extended Range (ER) precision targeting system into its F-15E fighter aircraft in less than 90 days, due to the combined efforts of the Air Force, The Boeing Company and Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electronic Systems sector. After initial flight clearance tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the first operational evaluation mission of this new combat capability for the Strike Eagle aircraft was successfully completed Oct. 22 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Air Combat Command aircrews continue to perform weapon system and tactics evaluation missions at Nellis.
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The Royal Malaysian Air Force recently began operating its first ”stretched” C-130H-30 that has been modified with an extension kit produced by the Air Mobility Support (AMS) team of Lockheed Martin Corporation "This program is typical of the worldwide involvement that Lockheed Martin has in the upgrade and sustainment of the C-130 fleet,” said Jim Brandt, director and general manager Air Mobility Support (AMS). " We are actively working with many operators to supply everything from full avionics upgrades to fundamental aircraft mission enhancements such as this stretch program.”
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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has signed the contract with Airbus for the purchase of six A330-200s and further 18 purchase-rights of this type herewith formalizing an earlier commitment. Deliveries for the aircraft are scheduled to begin in April 2005. In KLM's layout the aircraft will seat around 250 passengers in a comfortable two-class-cabin. The engine selection has yet to be made. Making the most of the A330-200's impressive versatility, KLM will operate the aircraft from its hub in Amsterdam on its international route network. The A330-200's flexibility and efficiency stem from its state-of-the-art technology, optimized wing design and the lowest fuel burn in its class. Together with low noise and emissions levels, these features also contribute to environmentally friendly operations.
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