Aerospace giant Airbus has delivered its first A330neo aircraft to Virgin Atlantic, it has announced.
Sir Richard Branson's airline, which will become the first operator of the plane in the UK, has ordered 13 A330neo jets - six are on lease from the Air Lease Corporation - with the intention to expand the fleet to 16 in the coming years.
The A330neo is Virgin's 50th Airbus aircraft and is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The plane includes Airbus's high-tech Airspace cabin, which was first revealed in 2016. According to the company, the cabin has more personal space, larger overhead bins, a new lighting system and entertainment.
The plane also features a state-of-the-art cabin air system and is configured to accommodate 262 passengers in three classes including 32 upper-class seats featuring privacy doors and two of the carrier's new Retreat Suites.
Earlier in October, Airbus said it expects the global commercial aircraft services market to double in value over the next 20 years - requiring millions of workers to join the sector.
The aerospace giant - which has UK bases in Filton, South Gloucestershire and Broughton, North Wales - has forecast a “bigger than ever” demand for highly skilled workers, such as pilots or technicians, as the industry recovers following the devastating impact of Covid-19.
The company finished assembling a prototype eco-wing it hopes will make flying more sustainable earlier this year. The Wing of Tomorrow programme is aimed at developing future technologies that could be used to make aviation more environmentally friendly.
Airbus is also carrying out research into sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen propulsion. In May, the aerospace firm announced it would be launching a new research hub at its base near Bristol to develop hydrogen technologies as part of efforts to decarbonise aviation.
In July, an Airbus boss said ongoing disruption caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine would not threaten the company's ambition to develop the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.
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