Aircraft
Airbus Starts Final Assembly of A330neo in Toulouse
Trent 7000-powered version of A330-300 widebody takes shape
Mechanics prepare to join the first A330neo's center fuselage to its wings in Toulouse. (Photo: Airbus)
Mechanics prepare to join the first A330neo's center fuselage to its wings in Toulouse. (Photo: Airbus)

Airbus has started final assembly of its first A330neo, an A330-900, with the joining of the wings to the center fuselage at station 40 in its plant in Toulouse, France. Plans call for the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered -900 to gain certification in the fourth quarter of 2017, followed by approval for the A330-800 at the end of 2018.