MatlinPatterson Signs For Six A330-200Fs

On the same day Boeing announced the transfer of an eight-plane order for its upcoming 777 Freighter, Airbus announced a new order for its own twin-engine, widebody cargo carrier. US investment fund MatlinPatterson Global Advisers LLC, through an affiliate, signed a firm contract for six A330-200 Freighters.

Airbus states the company intends for the aircraft to be used by its airline portfolio companies, including Varig Logistica in Brazil and Global Aero Logistics in the US. With this agreement, the two airlines will become new Airbus operators.

The new contract brings firm orders for the recently launched A330-200F to 72 firm orders from eight customers, which Airbus says confirms the strong market demand in the Freighter sector. (Boeing, with 80 orders for its 777 Freighter, would likely agree.)

"We are very pleased to add the new wide-body freighter, the Airbus A330-200F to our portfolio, which will allow us to renew the fleets of our airlines", said David Matlin, CEO of MatlinPatterson. "This aircraft's superior payload-range capability and low operating cost are a significant improvement over the older generation aircraft that it will replace."

John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, added "MatlinPatterson's decision to select the A330-200F underscores its very robust launch, and is a great endorsement for our latest Freighter aircraft. It is a recognition of the opportunities the A330-200F offers carriers who want to optimize their freighter performance and develop their networks."

FMI: www.airbus.com, https://secure.reportingsystem.com/MatlinPatterson-home/