Airbus A330-200F explained: the purpose-built cargo A330

The Airbus A330-200F is the dedicated new build freighter variant of the Airbus A330 widebody family. Designed and manufactured by Airbus at its final assembly line in Toulouse, France, this mid size cargo aircraft was conceived to succeed the ageing Airbus A300 600F and fill a gap in the medium capacity, long range freight market. Leveraging the proven A330 airframe, the programme offered airlines a purpose built freighter with modern fly by wire technology, twin engine economics and full operational commonality with passenger A330 variants.

Origins and Programme Launch

Airbus first explored a freighter derivative of the A330 200 around 2001, but the project was placed on hold as the manufacturer redirected engineering resources toward the A380 programme. Interest resurfaced in March 2006 when Airbus confirmed it would end A300 600F production in 2007, leaving the manufacturer without a dedicated new build freighter to compete in the medium widebody segment. The industrial go ahead for the A330 200F was granted on 17 January 2007, marking the formal programme launch. Initial commitments came from Indian cargo start up Flyington Freighters, lessor Intrepid Aviation Group and Guggenheim Aviation Partners, totalling some 32 aircraft.

Key Milestones

Development progressed with relatively low risk because the freighter shares roughly 95 per cent structural commonality with the passenger A330 200. Section assembly began in early 2009, and the first airframe (MSN 1004) was rolled out on 20 October 2009 in Toulouse. The maiden flight took place on 5 November 2009, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines, initiating a 180 hour flight test campaign. A second prototype (MSN 1032), equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines, joined the programme on 20 January 2010.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted type certification on 9 April 2010 under Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.004. The FAA validated the type under certificate number A46NM. The first delivery followed in July 2010 to Etihad Cargo, the freight division of Etihad Airways, which became the launch operator after Flyington Freighters did not take up its original commitment. Since entering service, the A330 200F has been operated by cargo carriers and lessors on intercontinental routes, valued for its lower trip costs compared with larger freighters such as the Boeing 777F. For readers interested in another workhorse of commercial aviation, a detailed profile of the Boeing 737 700 is available on this site.

What Sets the Airbus A330 200F Apart

Although the freighter shares the same fuselage cross section and wing as the passenger A330 200, several structural changes distinguish it. The forward fuselage incorporates a large main deck cargo door on the port side, enabling loading of up to 22 standard pallets (96 × 125 in) in a side by side configuration, a capability unique among mid size freighters. The centre fuel tank found in the passenger variant is removed to maximise lower deck cargo volume, which accepts up to 26 LD3 containers. The nose landing gear is modified and the forward fuselage features a distinctive fairing that levels the aircraft during ground loading. The cabin floor is reinforced with a dedicated Flexible Cargo Loading System capable of handling all industry standard unit load devices. According to Airbus, the A330 200F offers up to 35 per cent lower operating costs per tonne than larger widebody freighters.

Key variant identifiers for the Airbus A330 200F include:

• Engine options: Pratt & Whitney PW4000, Rolls Royce Trent 700, or General Electric CF6 (thrust class 68,000 to 72,000 lb)
• Maximum payload: up to 70 tonnes
• Maximum take off weight (MTOW): 227 t (payload optimised) or 233 t (range optimised)
• Range: up to 7,400 km (4,000 nm) with 61 t payload
• Main deck capacity: up to 22 pallets in side by side layout
• Lower deck capacity: up to 26 LD3 containers
• Wingtip type: standard A330 wingtip (60.30 m span), without winglets
• Flight deck commonality: same type rating as A330 200 and A330 300 passenger variants

The Airbus A330-200F is a purpose built widebody freighter derived from the proven A330-200 passenger platform. Unlike passenger to freighter conversions, the A330-200F was designed from the outset with a reinforced main deck floor, a large forward cargo door measuring 358 x 256 cm, and structural modifications to handle concentrated cargo loads of up to 70 tonnes. The aircraft shares the same Airbus fly by wire philosophy found across the manufacturer's commercial family, giving cargo operators the same handling qualities, commonality benefits and envelope protections that characterise modern Airbus types.

Airbus positions the A330-200F as a mid size freighter bridging the gap between narrowbody freighters and large widebody cargo aircraft such as the 777F. Its main deck can accommodate up to 22 pallets measuring 96 x 125 inches in a side by side configuration, while the lower deck holds up to 26 LD3 containers plus bulk cargo. Two operating modes define the variant: a payload mode offering up to 70 tonnes over shorter sectors, and a range mode carrying approximately 65 tonnes over distances of up to 7,400 km (4,000 nm). This flexibility enables airlines to tailor the aircraft to dense regional routes or longer intercontinental segments.

• Overall length: 58.82 m
• Wingspan: 60.30 m
• Height: 17.39 m
• Fuselage external width: 5.64 m
• MTOW (range mode / payload mode): 233 t / 227 t
• MLW (range mode / payload mode): 182 t / 187 t
• MZFW (range mode / payload mode): 173 t / 178 t
• Maximum payload: up to 70 t (payload mode)
• Range with max payload: approximately 5,930 km (payload mode) or 7,400 km with 65 t (range mode)
• Total cargo volume: approximately 475 m³ (main deck 336 m³ plus lower deck and bulk)
• Main deck capacity: up to 22 pallets (96 x 125 in, side by side)
• Lower deck capacity: up to 26 LD3 containers plus bulk
• Fuel capacity: 97,530 litres
• Cruise speed: approximately Mach 0.82 (typical long range cruise)
• Maximum operating speed: Mach 0.86 (MMO)
• Engines: two high bypass turbofans, choice of Pratt & Whitney PW4000 100 inch or Rolls-Royce Trent 700
• Cargo door (forward, main deck): 358 x 256 cm

Systems, Flight Controls and Handling Technology

The A330-200F retains the full fly by wire flight control architecture of the A330 family. Pilot inputs from sidestick controllers and rudder pedals are processed by three Primary Flight Control Computers (PRIMs) and two Secondary Flight Control Computers (SECs), supplemented by two Flight Augmentation Computers (FACs) responsible for yaw damping and rudder limiting. In normal law, the system provides full envelope protection including angle of attack limiting, bank angle protection (automatic recovery to 33 degrees when sidestick is released), and overspeed prevention. Degraded modes such as alternate law and direct law are available automatically in the event of sensor or computer failures, maintaining safe controllability at all times.

Engine control is managed by Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), which optimises thrust settings, monitors engine health parameters and manages start sequences independently of the flight control computers. The Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) provides crew awareness of system status, while the Centralised Fault Display System (CFDS) logs maintenance data for efficient troubleshooting. Three independent hydraulic systems (Green, Yellow and Blue) power flight control actuators, landing gear and the cargo door, ensuring redundancy throughout operations.

Published performance figures for the A330-200F vary depending on operator selected weights, engine variant, atmospheric conditions, runway elevation and cargo density. The two operating modes (range and payload) result in significantly different MTOW, MLW and MZFW values. Operators may also select different structural options that affect maximum payload. All figures quoted in manufacturer documentation assume standard ISA conditions and should be treated as reference values rather than absolute limits.

Engine Options: PW4000 100 Inch and Rolls-Royce Trent 700

The A330-200F is offered with two engine families, both proven high bypass turbofans in the 64,500 to 71,100 lbf thrust class. Unlike the passenger A330 which also offered the General Electric CF6 80E1, the freighter variant is limited to the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 100 inch series and the Rolls-Royce Trent 700.

The PW4000 100 inch family was developed specifically for the Airbus A330, with FAA certification achieved in August 1993 and first flight the following October. It features a 100 inch diameter fan, a bypass ratio of approximately 5.0, an overall pressure ratio of 32.0 and a flange to flange length of 163.1 inches. Thrust ratings within the A330 programme range from 64,500 lbf (PW4164) to 70,000 lbf (PW4170). The PW4168A variant offers a 4.5 percent thrust increase for hot and high operations, while the PW4170 Advantage70 upgrade delivers over one percent improvement in specific fuel consumption. The PW4000 family in its broader variants (94 inch and 112 inch fan diameters) also powers the Boeing 747 400, Boeing 777 and MD 11, though the 100 inch series is exclusive to the A330.

The Rolls-Royce Trent 700 is a three shaft high bypass turbofan and the first member of the Trent engine family. Development began in the late 1980s as a derivative of the RB211, with Rolls-Royce investing over $540 million by mid 1988. The engine completed its first run in 1992, received EASA certification in January 1994 and entered commercial service on 24 March 1995. It features a 97.4 inch fan with 26 wide chord blades, a bypass ratio of 5:1, an overall pressure ratio of 36:1 and a dry weight of approximately 6,160 kg. Thrust ratings across the Trent 700 range span 67,500 to 71,100 lbf (300 to 316 kN), with the Trent 772B 60 being a common selection for higher gross weight A330 operations. Upgrades such as the Trent 700EP (2009) and EP2 (2013) introduced fan and turbine refinements delivering cumulative fuel burn improvements of over two percent. Beyond the A330, the Trent 700 also powers the Airbus BelugaXL super transporter. The broader Trent family went on to power the Boeing 777 (Trent 800), A340 500/600 (Trent 500), A380 (Trent 900), Boeing 787 (Trent 1000) and A350 (Trent XWB).

The Airbus A330-200F is a purpose built widebody freighter designed for medium to long haul cargo operations. With a maximum payload of 70 tonnes and a range of 7,400 km (4,000 nmi) carrying 65 tonnes, it covers intercontinental trunk routes that fall between the capability of the Boeing 767-300F and the larger Boeing 777F. Typical sector lengths range from regional hops of around 2 to 3 hours up to long haul sectors of 8 to 10 hours, depending on payload and route. Avianca Cargo reported an average daily utilisation of 11.24 flight hours and a dispatch reliability rate of 99.32%, figures consistent with the wider A330 family average of roughly 10 to 12 hours per day. Monthly utilisation commonly falls between 350 and 400 block hours, comparable to that of other large freighters in the same market segment.

The A330-200F fits comfortably into both hub and spoke and point to point cargo networks. Its main deck cargo door, measuring 358 × 256 cm, accepts up to 22 industry standard pallets including 96 × 125 inch units loaded side by side, while the lower deck accommodates up to 26 LD3 containers. This flexibility makes the aircraft suitable for express parcel operations, perishable goods, e commerce logistics and general freight. At major cargo hubs such as Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Bogotá and Doha, operators use the type on dense intercontinental corridors. It also performs well at challenging airports: Avianca Cargo regularly operated it from Bogotá El Dorado, a hot and high field at 2,548 m elevation, demonstrating its operational versatility. One challenge for operators has been the relatively small global fleet. With only 38 new build examples delivered before production ended, spare parts pooling and aftermarket support require careful management compared with larger fleets like the Boeing 777F programme.

Where the Airbus A330-200F Operates Around the World

The Airbus A330-200F serves cargo routes across four broad regions. In Europe and the Middle East, the type anchors large cargo hub operations connecting markets in Asia, Africa and the Americas. In South America, it supports the export of perishables such as flowers and fresh produce to North America and Europe. Across Asia, it links manufacturing centres with consumer markets worldwide. In Africa, its presence is more limited, though connectivity is provided indirectly through Middle Eastern and European hubs.

• Europe and Middle East: Turkish Airlines Cargo operates the A330-200F from its hub at Istanbul Airport, deploying the type across a global network that spans Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. MNG Airlines, also based in Istanbul, received four A330-200F aircraft from 2012 and uses them for charter and scheduled freight services to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Etihad Cargo, based in Abu Dhabi, was the launch customer for the type in 2010 and employed the aircraft on long haul cargo routes linking the Gulf with Asia, Europe and beyond. Qatar Airways Cargo, operating from Doha, also used the A330-200F on its worldwide freight network.
• North and South America: Avianca Cargo, headquartered in Bogotá, made the A330-200F the backbone of its freighter fleet. The airline transported over 21,000 tonnes of flowers during peak seasons and served routes connecting Colombia with Miami, São Paulo and Europe. Like the Bombardier Q400 in the regional turboprop segment, the A330-200F carved out a niche by matching capacity to demand on routes where a larger freighter would be inefficient.
• Asia: The A330-200F has been used by operators to serve high demand corridors between Asian manufacturing hubs and consumer markets in Europe and North America. Some aircraft in the region now fly as A330 P2F (passenger to freighter) conversions operated by carriers such as Air Hong Kong, which runs a fleet of A330 freighters for DHL Express across the Asia Pacific region from Hong Kong.
• Africa: No African airline is confirmed as a direct operator of the new build A330-200F. However, cargo connectivity to and from the continent is provided through Middle Eastern and European carriers such as Turkish Airlines Cargo and Etihad Cargo, which include African destinations in their networks.

Cargo Configuration and Hold Layout of the Airbus A330-200F

As a dedicated freighter, the Airbus A330-200F carries no passenger seats. Its cabin is configured entirely for cargo, offering a total load volume of 467 m³ across main and lower decks. The main deck accommodates up to 22 pallets, with the widebody fuselage (5.64 m external diameter) allowing 96 × 125 inch pallets to be loaded side by side, a capability unique among mid size freighters. The lower deck holds up to 26 LD3 containers or a combination of pallets and containers depending on operator requirements.

Operators such as Avianca Cargo configured the aircraft to accept up to 23 SBS pallets on the main deck, with temperature controlled zones for perishable shipments. The aircraft also features a bulk cargo compartment aft of the lower deck holds. Because the A330-200F shares a common type rating with the passenger A330-200 and A330-300, airlines benefit from crew commonality, which reduces training costs and simplifies fleet management. The structural maximum payload of 70 tonnes, combined with the generous volume, gives the aircraft a competitive density ratio well suited to lighter but bulky e commerce and express freight, as well as denser general cargo on intercontinental routes.

The Airbus A330-200F holds an exceptionally clean safety record. Since entering service in 2010, the dedicated freighter variant has accumulated over a decade of operations with no hull losses and no fatal accidents attributed to the type. Airbus delivered 38 A330-200F aircraft to cargo operators worldwide, and these airframes have operated thousands of revenue flights across intercontinental routes without a major accident. In the broader context of the Airbus A330 family, which has recorded 47 aviation occurrences and 14 hull losses across all variants since the early 1990s, the A330-200F freighter stands out for having experienced none of those events. This record reflects both the maturity of the A330 platform and the robust operational standards applied to cargo operations under EASA and FAA oversight.

Notable A330 Family Incidents and Lessons Learned

While the A330-200F itself has not been involved in any major accident, several significant events across the wider A330 family have driven important safety improvements that benefit every variant, including the freighter.

• Air France Flight 447 (2009): An Airbus A330-203 operating from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the loss of all 228 occupants. The investigation by the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis (BEA) determined that temporary inconsistencies in airspeed readings, likely caused by icing of the pitot probes, led to autopilot disconnection and inappropriate crew inputs during a high altitude stall. In response, Airbus issued recommendations to replace Thales AA pitot tubes with Goodrich models across the A330 and A340 fleets. Regulators mandated enhanced training for manual handling at high altitude, stall recognition in cruise, and updated unreliable airspeed procedures. These changes have had a lasting positive effect on crew preparedness across all A330 operations.
• Air Transat Flight 236 (2001): An A330-243 (registration C-GITS) experienced a fuel leak over the Atlantic that went undetected due to insufficient cockpit alerting. After both engines flamed out from fuel exhaustion, the crew successfully glided to a landing in the Azores with no fatalities. Following the investigation, documented in FAA Lessons Learned, Airbus improved the A330 fuel leak checklist, developed a dedicated fuel imbalance checklist, and enhanced pilot notification procedures. This event reinforced the importance of fuel system monitoring and contributed to system improvements applicable to all A330 variants.
• Qantas A330 Cabin Depressurisation (2021): A Qantas Airbus A330-200 (VH-EBK) experienced a cabin depressurisation event caused by a Cabin Pressure Controller fault. The investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found that procedures and training for responding to the alert were inadequate. As a result, operators revised training protocols, Airbus updated the Flight Crew Training Manual and Flight Crew Operating Manual, and fleet wide pressurisation system checks and upgrades were initiated.

Each of these events led to tangible improvements in aircraft systems, crew training, and regulatory requirements that have strengthened the safety of every A330 in service today, including the A330-200F.

How Safe Is the Airbus A330-200F

The Airbus A330-200F benefits from the same fly by wire flight control system and design philosophy shared across the entire A330 family. This system provides flight envelope protection, preventing the aircraft from exceeding safe aerodynamic or structural limits regardless of pilot input. Triple redundant flight control computers, independent hydraulic systems, and multiple electrical power sources ensure continued safe operation even in the event of component failures. These features, combined with continuous monitoring through systems like Airbus Skywise for predictive maintenance, make the A330 platform one of the most robust widebody designs in operation.

From a regulatory standpoint, the A330-200F holds both EASA and FAA type certification, meeting the most stringent airworthiness standards (CS 25 and 14 CFR Part 25). Operators flying the type must comply with detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), recurrent crew training, and ongoing maintenance programmes mandated by these authorities. For aspiring pilots interested in the training pathway toward flying Airbus types, resources such as cadet programmes for Airbus first officers offer practical insight into the structured approach to type rated piloting.

When measured against the volume of operations, the A330 family's accident rate is well below the global average for widebody jet transports. According to data compiled by the Aviation Safety Network, the vast majority of the more than 1,660 A330 aircraft delivered continue to operate safely with operators around the world. The A330-200F, with zero hull losses in over a decade of service, exemplifies this strong safety performance. Aviation remains statistically one of the safest modes of transport, and the Airbus A330-200F's record reinforces that position within the cargo segment.