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An ITA Airways Airbus A330-200 has been operating for several weeks without its right-side winglet, according to recent reports and photographic evidence. The aircraft, registered as EI-EJP, continues to fly regular long-haul routes out of Rome Fiumicino Airport, including destinations such as Delhi, New York, Toronto, and Washington.
The missing winglet does not pose a safety risk. Winglets are designed to improve fuel efficiency by reducing drag but are not essential for the safe operation of the aircraft. Not all A330-200s are equipped with winglets, and their absence results only in a minor increase in fuel consumption.
"The likelihood here is that the winglet in question was damaged at some point a few weeks ago, and ITA has chosen to keep the plane in service while it waits for a replacement part. This means the A330 will be flying with a slight efficiency penalty, potentially adding hundreds or perhaps even thousands of dollars of additional cost per long-haul flight due to the slight increase in drag," reported Airways Magazine.
