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Airbus A330-800 sees limited use despite long-range capabilities

Airbus A330-800 sees limited use despite long-range capabilities
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Airbus A330-800 | Official Website

The Airbus A330-800 is a rare aircraft variant, with only three airlines operating a total of seven planes: Kuwait Airways, Uganda Airlines, and Air Greenland. This model is known for its ultra-long-haul capabilities, boasting a theoretical maximum range of 8,150 nautical miles (15,099 km), according to Airbus. However, it is less economical compared to the larger A330-900 due to higher fuel consumption per seat and lower passenger capacity.

Kuwait Airways became the first airline to operate both A330neo variants after receiving its first A330-800 in December 2024. The airline uses this model on several routes including Kuwait to Guangzhou and Kuala Lumpur.

For the northern aviation summer season from March 30 to October 25, Uganda Airlines will launch a new route from Entebbe to London Gatwick starting May 18. This service will be the longest A330-800 flight by time but second by distance. It marks the return of nonstop flights between Entebbe and London since British Airways ceased operations in 2015.

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Uganda Airlines' new route targets mainly the diaspora and tourists. African aviation expert Sean Mendis commented on this decision: "The choice to fly to London was obvious given the data. Of course, the ability to make a profit on any route with those aircraft is constrained as the acquisition of the widebodies was a political rather than commercially driven choice."

Cirium Diio data indicates that an average A330-800 flight covers just 1,950 nautical miles (3,611 km) during this period—significantly less than its maximum range and below the typical stage length of the more economical A330-900.

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