Airbus is in talks with Saudi Arabia's Flynas and Germany's Condor regarding potential orders for its A330neo wide-body jets, according to a report from Bloomberg. The discussions, which are said to be at an advanced stage, could see the European aerospace giant secure a much-needed boost for its mid-sized long-haul aircraft programme. Neither airline has publicly commented on the report, and Airbus declined to confirm the negotiations.
The A330neo, which entered service in 2018, is an upgraded version of the A330 featuring new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, redesigned wingtips, and improved cabin technology. It competes directly with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner in the mid-size wide-body market. While the aircraft has found favour with some operators, it has struggled to match the order books of its rivals, with fewer than 300 firm orders placed to date.
For Flynas, a low-cost carrier based in Riyadh, an A330neo order would mark a significant step into the long-haul market. The airline currently operates a fleet of narrow-body Airbus A320 family aircraft and has been expanding its network to destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Condor, the German leisure carrier, already operates a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft and would use the A330neo to replace ageing Boeing 767s on its long-haul holiday routes.
The potential deals come at a critical time for Airbus, which is ramping up production across its aircraft families while navigating supply chain constraints. The A330neo programme has been overshadowed by the larger A350 and the booming demand for single-aisle A320neo jets. A dual order from Flynas and Condor would provide a clear signal of confidence in the type and could encourage other airlines to follow suit.
UK investors and pension holders with exposure to aerospace and defence stocks will be watching closely. Rolls-Royce, which supplies the engines for the A330neo, stands to benefit directly from any increase in production and deliveries. The FTSE 100-listed company has been working to recover from pandemic-era losses and has pointed to the wide-body market recovery as a key driver of future earnings growth. Any firm order announcement would likely be viewed positively by the market, though analysts caution that final terms and delivery timelines remain uncertain.