Corsair is now the latest airline to join the list of European A330neo operators. The first of five A330neos scheduled for delivery performed its ferry flight to Orly Airport on March 31, 2021. The aircraft made its maiden flight out of the Airbus Toulouse facility on October 30, 2020.
The introduction of the A330 neo is part of the French carrier’s fleet modernization plan which involves phasing out its fleet of three Boeing 747 planes and one A330-200, in favour of an all-Airbus fleet. The first B747-400 was phased out in December 2020 following the retirement of the first A330-200 in January 2020. The remaining two B747s are scheduled to exit the fleet in May 202.
The airline placed the order for three A330-900s in March 2019. Initially, it was supposed to receive the first A330neo in August 2020, but the deliveries got deferred due to the pandemic. In total, the air carrier will have a fleet of five A330-900s as additional two aircraft are scheduled for deliveries from lessors.
By May 2021, Corsair all-Airbus fleet will consist of five A330-900s and five A330ceos.
The fleet is scheduled to frequent routes from Paris Orly to Mauritius (four times weekly), Pointe-a-Pitre (once-daily), St. Denis de la Reunion (five times weekly from May 14, 2021) and St. Paris Orly – Denis de la Reunion – Mauritius (twice weekly from May 13, 2021)
An additional route to New York JFK was announced in August 2020 and is planned for launch from September 10, 2021.