In 2020 Air Greenland positioned an order for a single Airbus A330-800neo. I’ve lengthy been fascinated by the airline, so discovered this to be a very fascinating growth. This airplane is now performing take a look at flights and is pretty near getting into service, so I wished to supply an replace.
Fundamentals of Air Greenland
Air Greenland is such a cool airline that I’m wanting ahead to flying, hopefully after it takes supply of its new plane. Air Greenland at present has a single vast physique airplane, which is an Airbus A330-200, and it’s used for flights to Copenhagen. On high of that, the airline operates a fleet of turboprops, that are used for flights inside Greenland, in addition to for flights to Iceland.
Air Greenland’s Airbus A330-800neo order
In 2020, Air Greenland positioned an order for an Airbus A330-800neo, supposed to switch the corporate’s present A330-200. The plan stays for the airline to take supply of the airplane within the coming weeks, throughout the fourth quarter of 2022. The plane is at present performing take a look at flights with Airbus, previous to supply.
The checklist worth of the A330-800neo is 260 million USD, although I think about the airline received a major low cost.
For context, the A330-200 that the airline at present operates is about 24 years previous, because the airplane has been flying since 1998. It initially flew for Sabena, after which has been flying with Air Greenland since 2002.
Air Greenland has tentatively scheduled the A330-800neo to enter service as of March 27, 2023. As of then, the airplane is scheduled to fly between Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) and Copenhagen (CPH). After all the schedule has the potential to be moved ahead, on condition that supply is predicted effectively forward of then (although coaching can take a while).
Why the Airbus A330-800neo is unpopular
In a means, Air Greenland’s choice to order an A330-800neo is shocking, as a result of this has been an extremely unpopular airplane. Whereas the A330-900neo has been common (with over 260 of the planes having been ordered by airways), there haven’t even been a dozen orders for the A330-800neo.
Other than Air Greenland, the A330-800neo is flown by Kuwait Airways and Uganda Airways, and has additionally been ordered by Garuda Indonesia, however that’s it.
Simply to match the specs of the A330-800neo and A330-900neo:
- The A330-800neo has an ordinary capability of 257, whereas the A330-900neo has an ordinary capability of 287
- The A330-800neo has a spread of 8,150nm, whereas the A330-900neo has a spread of seven,200nm
The explanation it’s shocking that Air Greenland selected the A330-800neo is as a result of the airline definitely doesn’t want the extra vary. I can perceive how Air Greenland possibly doesn’t want the additional capability of the A330-900neo, however the actuality is that the incremental working value is actually marginal for the additional capability.
Then once more, maybe the airline can make the most of the extra weight restrict for cargo, because the Air Greenland flight to Copenhagen is among the major ways in which provides are shipped to Greenland. Moreover, I consider the A330-800neo has higher takeoff efficiency, if the airline is seeking to broaden to different airports in Greenland (which I’ll focus on beneath). Lastly, I additionally think about Air Greenland most likely received a greater deal on the jet.
Air Greenland Airbus A330-800neo configuration
I used to be curious to see what sort of cabins Air Greenland would set up on its A330-800neos. On condition that the airline completely flies quick flights, I wasn’t anticipating something too thrilling, however I used to be hopeful that possibly we’d see one thing cool. Effectively, sadly I’m fairly upset, and it appears like these jets might characterize a downgrade for the passenger expertise.
For what it’s price, Air Greeland’s A330-200 options 278 seats, together with 30 enterprise class seats and 248 economic system seats.
Enterprise class seats are solely barely extra spacious than you’d discover in home first-class in america, so it’s not a lot to get enthusiastic about. That’s in the end logical, on condition that Air Greenland’s longest flight is underneath 5 hours, and the airline doesn’t function any redeyes.
Air Greenland’s A330-800neo can be actually dense, because the airplane will function a complete of 305 seats, together with 42 enterprise class seats and 263 economic system class seats. Wanting on the seatmap, enterprise class can be in a 2-3-2 configuration, so it’ll be even tighter than what’s out there now. It stays to be seen what precisely the product can be like, but it surely’s not wanting good.
Greenland is increasing two airports
Larger image with regards to aviation in Greenland, it’s fascinating to notice how routes within the nation could also be altering. At the moment Air Greenland’s A330 completely operates between Kangerlussuaq and Copenhagen. Kangerlussuaq isn’t a serious vacation spot in Greenland, however relatively it’s simply the one airport with a runway able to dealing with the A330.
That can be altering over time. The 2 greatest vacationer locations in Greenland are Ilulissat and Nuuk, although at present their airports are solely able to dealing with smaller planes.
In 2020 it was introduced that new airports are anticipated to open in Ilulissat and Nuuk. Final I heard the plan was for this to occur in late 2023, although solely time will inform if that timeline sticks. As soon as that occurs, the plan is to function direct flights from Copenhagen to these locations.
The hope is that tourism to Greenland will enhance by double digits, between the opening of those new airports, together with the rise in capability from the brand new airplane.
May Air Greenland ever fly to New York?
I do know I’m completely dreaming right here and it will virtually definitely by no means occur, particularly since Air Greenland solely has a single lengthy haul airplane. But it surely positive can be good to see a nonstop flight from america to Greenland.
At the moment if you wish to go to Greenland you possibly can both:
- Fly to Copenhagen after which backtrack to Greenland
- Fly to Iceland, after which backtrack to Greenland on a 3 hour turboprop flight
New York to Nuuk is barely about ~1,850 miles, so it’s shorter than any flight from Copenhagen. It might be so cool to finally see a seasonal, twice weekly flights between the markets, although sadly I doubt we’ll ever see that.
Fortuitously service between Canada and Greenland is no less than on the horizon, as Canadian North is contemplating flying to Greenland. The airline is planning a strategic partnership with Air Greenland, which might see the airline launch a number of routes, together with:
- Ottawa to Iqaluit to Ilulissat
- Ottawa to Iqaluit to Nuuk
- Toronto to Ilulissat and/or Nuuk in the summertime months throughout the vacationer season
It’s unimaginable to suppose that the flights from Iqaluit to Ilulissat and Nuuk are simply 500-600 miles.
Backside line
In 2020, Air Greenland positioned an order for an Airbus A330-800neo. The airplane is at present performing take a look at flights, and will be part of the provider’s fleet within the coming weeks, previous to getting into business service in March 2023.
Whereas I’m excited to see Air Greenland take supply of this distinctive jet, sadly don’t anticipate a lot with regards to the onboard product. Air Greenland is probably going introducing a worse enterprise class product on this airplane, as there can be seven seats per row.
It’s an thrilling time for aviation in Greenland, between Air Greenland’s A330-800neo order, Canadian North contemplating flights to Greenland, and airports within the nation being expanded.
What do you make of Air Greenland’s A330-800neo?
