Airbus Defence and Space has successfully completed the maiden flight of the first A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport for France. The aircraft, which will be known in French service as Phénix, is the first of nine ordered by the French Defence Procurement Agency DGA, plus another three expected to be confirmed. It is the second new standard A330 MRTT to fly, featuring structural modifications, aerodynamic improvements giving a fuel-burn reduction of up to 1%, upgraded avionics computers and enhanced military systems. The aircraft was converted in Getafe from a standard A330 assembled in Toulouse. The crew reported that the aircraft performed in line with expectations during the 3h 25min flight. The Phénix fleet will be equipped with a combination of the Airbus Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and underwing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods, and can carry 272 passengers or be configured for medical evacuation. First delivery is due in 2018. Fifty-one A330 MRTTs have been ordered by eight nations of which 28 have been delivered.
AviTrader sponsorship ad
First A330 MRTT Phénix for France makes maiden flight
Share this Article
Friday June 12, 2026
The European Commission has agreed to support Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines and Avio Aero on SHARP, a major research project focused on future military helicopter propulsion. SHARP, short for Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft... Read More »
Friday June 12, 2026
easyJet has added its 100th Airbus A320neo-family aircraft to its fleet, reinforcing its commitment to modernisation and lower-emission operations. The aircraft was handed over in Hamburg, Germany, and joins easyJet’s all-Airbus fleet, which now stands at 35... Read More »
Friday June 12, 2026
German aircraft manufacturer General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has secured the first sale of its Do228 NXT, following the successful roll-out and maiden flight of the new-generation aircraft. The launch customer is a non-governmental organisation involv... Read More »
Friday June 12, 2026
American Airlines (American) and Google have announced the largest publicly disclosed sustainable aviation fuel certificate (SAFc) agreement between an airline and a single corporate customer to date. The ldeal will support the use of 35 million gallons (132 m... Read More »
Friday June 12, 2026
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Aerospace (Trelleborg) has opened a new 5,000 m² production facility in Casablanca, Morocco, strengthening its capacity to support growing global demand in the aerospace sector. Located in the Midparc Industrial Freezone near Moha... Read More »
Friday June 12, 2026
Crestone Air Partners (Crestone), the global aviation asset management platform majority owned by Air T, has completed its acquisition of Arena Aviation Capital (Arena), following the fulfilment of all customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The... Read More »
Thursday June 11, 2026
Azorra has completed the acquisition of 12 Airbus A220-300 aircraft from EGYPTAIR, marking a key milestone in the carrier’s fleet transformation programme. The aircraft were purchased in February 2024 as part of EGYPTAIR’s strategic fleet renewal efforts. ... Read More »
Thursday June 11, 2026
Honeywell has delivered the first three TPE331-12B turboprop engines for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft programme. The delivery supports the Indian Air Force’s HTT-40 programme and aligns with India’s wider efforts to... Read More »
Thursday June 11, 2026
Aero-Dienst GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of ADAC SE, will add a second Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft to its fleet for dedicated medevac operations. The aircraft will support ADAC’s global patient repatriation and air ambulance services, building on t... Read More »
Thursday June 11, 2026
AJW Technique, the MRO division of AJW Group, has received Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) certification from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), strengthening its ability to support operators across the region. The approval authorises ... Read More »
Thursday June 11, 2026
The Xtreme Group (TXG), a Miami-based aviation MRO provider, has secured a growth investment from private equity firm Heartwood Partners to support the next phase of its expansion. The funding is expected to strengthen the company’s operational capabilities,... Read More »
Wednesday June 10, 2026
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has completed a major expansion of its MRO facility at Subang Aerotech Park in Malaysia, investing US$63 million to establish the site as its principal regional hub for advanced component support. The project increases the c... Read More »
Wednesday June 10, 2026
BeauTech Power Systems (BeauTech) has amended and extended its revolving credit facility, raising total commitments from US$0.63 billion to US$1.40 billion and pushing maturity out to June 2031. The aircraft engine leasing, asset management and trading special... Read More »
Wednesday June 10, 2026
Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract from Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for 12 multirole helicopters, comprising seven H160s and five H145s, under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative. The investment is aimed at s... Read More »
Wednesday June 10, 2026
GA Telesis has completed a major upgrade to its fuel pump test bench infrastructure, extending its component repair capability to cover full overhaul, testing and certification of GE90 jet engine fuel pumps. The investment strengthens the company’s aviation ... Read More »
Wednesday June 10, 2026
FDH Aero, a global provider of supply chain solutions for the aerospace and defence sector, has signed a definitive agreement under which Bain Capital Private Equity (Bain Capital) will acquire a majority stake in the company. Audax Private Equity, which has b... Read More »
Wednesday June 10, 2026
Britten-Norman has reached a significant stage in its effort to restore full Islander aircraft production to the UK, with the first aircraft from its reshored manufacturing line now 75% complete at the company’s Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight. The a... Read More »
Tuesday June 9, 2026
General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has unveiled the Do228 NXT, the next generation of the iconic Dornier 228, during a roll-out ceremony at its Oberpfaffenhofen facility. The event marked the first public presentation of a newly manufactured German aircr... Read More »
Tuesday June 9, 2026
Mubea Aviation has secured a contract from Airbus Atlantic for the serial production and supply of CFRP composite structural components for the Airbus A350 programme. The award underscores Mubea Aviation’s expertise in advanced composite technologies and its... Read More »
Tuesday June 9, 2026
IAT Leasing has acquired two 2009-vintage Boeing 737 aircraft from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), comprising one 737-800 and one 737-700, both on lease to WestJet. The aircraft were purchased on behalf of funds managed by two existing US investors through a... Read More »
Aviation News Categories
2026 MEDIA KIT
Tamar Jorssen
tamar.jorssen@avitrader.com
Phone: +1 (778) 213 8543
Malte Tamm
malte.tamm@avitrader.com
Phone: +49 (0)162 8263049