A330-200 Neo infographic.
The company is considering adding sharklet wingtips for the A330. This alteration was tested on the A320 before Airbus decided to consolidate fuel-burn improvement by re-engining it as the A320neo.
Louis Gallois, EADS chief executive, said,
"The A330 has a future and we want to keep it at the cutting edge of technology and performance," adding, "So Airbus is encouraged to look at possible improvements with a good business case."
Airbus also stated that for now, the airframer is "not thinking of new engines" on the A330. According to Airbus, building a re-engined A330neo would in effect recreate a configuration that was discarded in favour of the existing A350 family. Additionally, this would have a negative impact on the 250-seat market of the A350-800.
