• Entrusting Airbus to deliver the right upgrade solutions with the highest quality
• Equipping TAP’s Airbus aircraft with the latest innovations for the airline and its passengers
TAP Portugal has signed an agreement with Airbus at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg to upgrade the cabins of its A330s, A319s, A320s and A321s. The engineering and certification of this extensive cabin retrofit programme will be accomplished by Airbus Upgrade Services for seven A330ceo and 41 A320ceo Family aircraft. The retrofit on A330s will include new business class seats with new IFE, while the retrofit on the A320 Family fleet will include new seats. Both aircraft types will sport the airline’s new interior styling.
Trey Urbahn, Chief Commercial Officer at TAP Portugal said: “These significant cabin upgrade programmes for our A320ceo and A330ceo Family fleets reinforce our commitment to invest in enhancing the aircraft and the product we offer to our passengers.” He adds: “We are confident that Airbus will deliver the right upgrade solutions with the highest quality to ensure that these aircraft continue to be the most suitable for our business as well as pleasing to fly in.”
Didier Lux, Airbus Head of Customer Services said: “We are very pleased to be chosen by TAP to upgrade the cabins of its Airbus Single-Aisle and Widebody fleets. Not only does this underscore that A330ceo and A320ceo Family aircraft worldwide will continue to be profitable and efficient in the long term, but it also shows that we are the ideal partner to work with airlines to equip their Airbus fleets with the latest innovations.”
The fleet cabin renewal program is planned to start in the 3rd quarter of 2016 for the A320 Family fleet and in the 1st quarter 2017 for the A330ceo fleet. All the cabin modifications will be completed by the end of 2017, with TAP carrying out the programme in its Maintenance & Engineering facilities. Meanwhile, Airbus will supply Service Bulletins (SBs), perform the engineering design, define and provide the methodology and ensure the overall integration of the retrofit components into the aircraft.
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 currently in service, including 43 from the A320 family and 18 of the widebody family, with two additional A330s to enter service this 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.
Airbus press release
