- First airline to fly the Airspace by Airbus cabin brand in the new A330neo in 2017
- Providing TAP with the flexible ‘canvas’ onto which it will project its own brand
NEW YORK, April 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2016 – TAP Portugal has signed an agreement with Airbus to be the first operator of the new A330neo airliner and therefore also become the launching carrier to fly the Airspace by Airbus cabin brand in the A330neo. In 2015, the airline placed a large fleet renewal contract with Airbus which included an order for 14 A330-900neos. Passengers will soon be able to experience the Airspace by Airbus cabin for the first time when these aircraft enter service around the end of 2017.
Trey Urbahn, Chief Commercial Officer at TAP Portugal said: “We are extremely proud to be the first airline to fly the Airspace by Airbus cabin in the new A330neo. Our passengers and flight-crews eagerly look forward to experiencing this innovative new cabin design. Furthermore, the Airspace cabin represents an exciting and flexible canvas onto which we can project the TAP brand.”
François Caudron, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Airbus said: “We are delighted to confirm that TAP will become the first airline to introduce the Airspace by Airbus cabin in the A330neo. Developed with passengers at heart and airlines in mind, Airspace encompasses four pillars: Comfort, Ambience, Services and Design and will ensure that Airbus cabins continue to be the benchmark in passenger experience and airline value.”
Highlights of TAP’s Airspace cabin will include: a new welcome area; the latest mood LED-based lighting system with 16.7 million possible color variations; larger overhead bins; new contemporary lavatories and latest-generation IFE and connectivity. The Airspace cabin ambience ensures passengers’ wellbeing, while the signature details and iconic elements will be recognizable throughout the cabin.
The relationship between Airbus and Portugal dates back to 1987 when TAP, then Air Portugal, ordered three Airbus A310s. Today TAP is an all Airbus fleet customer and the largest in Portugal with 61 aircraft in service, including 43 from the A320 family and 18 of the wide-body family, with two additional A330s to enter service as of coming June to support the expansion of the company’s long haul operations. TAP has also placed orders for the latest generation of A320neo and A330neo Families.
The A330-800neo and the A330-900neo are two new members of the Airbus wide-body Family launched in July 2014 with first deliveries scheduled to start at the end of 2017. In addition to its new Airspace cabin interior, the A330neo also incorporates latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and aerodynamic enhancements. Benefitting from the unbeatable economics, versatility and high reliability of the A330, the A330neo reduces fuel consumption by 14% per seat, making it the most cost efficient, medium range wide-body airliner.
About TAP Portugal
TAP is Portugal’s leading airline, and member of Star Alliance, the global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach, since 2005. In operation since 1945, TAP celebrated 70 years on March 14, 2015, and has completed its privatization process in 2015, with the Atlantic Gateway Group now as new private shareholders of its share capital. TAP hub in Lisbon is a key European gateway at the crossroads of Africa, North, Central and South America, where TAP stands out as the international leading carrier in operation to Brazil. During the current IATA Summer period, the company’s network will comprise 76 destinations in 29 countries worldwide. TAP currently operates about 2,500 weekly flights in average on a modern fleet of 61 Airbus aircraft and 17 aircraft operating in TAP Express livery, TAP regional branded product, adding up to a 78 aircraft fleet. As of June 2016, the company will take delivery of two additional A330s, thus increasing its fleet to 80 aircraft in the whole. Within the vast restructure program currently going across the company as the outcome of its privatization process, TAP has announced its Network restructure, its medium and long haul fleet renewal program as of 2017 and the retrofit of the fleet currently in operation as well as the launch of the new branded product TAP Express, which replaces PGA and operates a new fleet of 8 ATR 72 and 9 Embraer 190. In the pursuit of its customer focused policy, TAP continuously invests to deliver safe, reliable and upgraded products & services, tailored to meet customers’ expectations. Retaining the Portuguese character of the Company’s brand and quality service as the basic concept has been the main driver of TAP strategy in most recent years. Recognized and awarded as the Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa as well as Europe’s Leading Airline to South America by the World Travel Awards in 2015 and 2014, the company was also awarded as the WTA World’s Leading Airline to Africa in 2011 and 2012 and the WTA World’s Leading Airline to South America in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Voted Best Airline in Europe in 2011, 2012, 2013 and again in 2015 by the Global Traveler, USA, the company was also honored by UNESCO and by the International Union of Geological Sciences with the IYPE “Planet Earth Award 2010”, in the category of “Most Innovative Sustainable Product”. TAP was also voted Best Airline by Condé Nast Traveller Magazine in 2010, Best Portuguese Tourism Company by the specialized magazine Marketeer, in 2011 and also the airline with Best Reputation by the Reputation Institute in 2014, while its Inflight Magazine UP was voted Best European Inflight Magazine by the WTA awards in 2015.
For further information, please go to www.flytap.com.