Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) has publicly urged Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) to make a "rapid decision" on plans for a potential A330neo (new engine option) model. The British carrier's head of strategic fleet planning Alan Leeks has said at the Ascend Flightglobal Finance Forum that Virgin would strongly consider ordering the aircraft if the aircraft would be offered at the right price and the economics as strong as they look "on paper".
AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) Group CEO Tony Fernandes has repeatedly been pushing Airbus and engine suppliers to build an A330neo.
Virgin Atlantic currently operates ten A330-300s already alongside three A340-300s and 13 A340-600s making up the rest of its Airbus long-haul fleet. While the carrier has six A380-800s on order as well, it is considering further deferring delivery dates for the aircraft.
