Airbus is looking to take the maximum take-off weight of the re-engined A330neo to 245t.

The aircraft, which will have two variants, the -800 and -900, is currently based on the 242t version of the A330.

Airbus has previously given preliminary technical details of three A330-800 and -900 weight options.

Two of these were listed with a maximum take-off weight of 242t while the third would have a 238t capability.

But chief operating officer for customers John Leahy, speaking at a briefing in Hamburg, confirmed that a 245t option was under consideration.

"We are looking at increasing the take-off weight on that aircraft, because it’s the biggest bang for the buck," he said.

Leahy indicated that it would offer increased payload or range, although he declined to give specific figures. But he insisted that the A330neo would be a “very impressive” aircraft.

The 245t take-off weight would match the figure originally given for the A350-800 when the current A350 family was unveiled in 2006.

Airbus eventually sidelined the A350-800 in favour of a re-engined A330, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.

Source: Cirium Dashboard