The American airline changed its order. As they received their first A330-900 from Airbus, they signed a new deal to receive 10 more A330-900 and to postpone the delivery of ten A350 aircraft they already ordered to the 2025/2026 years.
These ten new aircraft increase the number of A330neo ordered by Delta Airlines to 35 aircraft from this family. Gil West, Operation Director, said that : "These aquisitions will serve strategic growth for the short and medium term for the large aircraft fleet."
The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s new Trent 7000 engine, which offers fuel savings. But it has suffered delays as the British company focuses on fixing extensive problems on a similar model of engine that powers the Boeing 787.
In the same time, Delta postponed the delivery of its A350 to 2025/2026 and also keep the opportunity to convert it to other A330-900. The airline already has a "fleet of 15 aircraft which perfectly fit with actual Delta network" according to Gil West. The American airline is expecting four more aircraft within four years. Two in 2019 and two others in 2020.
These last deliveries are in discussion for many years now, firstly predicted for 2017 and now are expected for 2020. Airbus is aggressively seeking more orders for the latest version of its profitable A330 franchise. Sales of the engine-upgraded A330neo model fell short of expectations in the face of heavy competition from Boeing Co’s newer 787.
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