Four-jet engines are popular with many aviation fans, but not with airlines. Air Belgium swaps two out of three Airbus A340-300s for A330neo. The lessor will continue to be directly the aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

According to a press release, Air Belgium will put the first A330-900 into active service on October 15, 2021. Both A330-900s are to be taken over in autumn 2021. These are aircraft that were previously intended for the no longer existing airline Air Berlin. After that, these should have gone to Rwandair, but nothing came of it either. Now the two A330-900s will find a home at Air Belgium.

The carrier will operate the new additions with three classes of transport: business, premium economy and economy class. Compared to the four-jet Airbus A340-300 currently in use, the A330-900 are significantly more fuel-efficient.

“Air Belgium is very happy and proud to present these new aircraft in Belgium. They are the most modern aircraft that will operate under the Belgian flag. We are very excited about our experience operating the Airbus A340, which has proven reliability, comfort and performance. With the A330neos, customers benefit directly from even more comfort and first-class service on board and at the same time reduce our environmental impact by 25 percent, ”says Air Belgium boss Niky Terzakis.