Air Caraïbes signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of an additional A330-300, to cope with growth on its transatlantic routes. The aircraft will be delivered in November 2008.

Air Caraïbes currently operates two A330-200s and one A330-300, which was put into service two weeks ago. The additional A330-300, which will replace one of the smaller capacity A330-200 on lease, will be fitted with 372 seats in a comfortable three-class lay-out, providing an additional capacity of 48 seats. It will also feature the latest standards in In-flight entertainment in all cabins.

Air Caraïbes serves inter-Caribbean routes between 13 islands, as well as Belem in Brazil. Since end 2003 Air Caraïbes also operates transatlantic routes to Paris from Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France.

President of Air Caraïbes, Jean-Paul Dubreuil declared: "Since the entry into service of the A330-200s on our transatlantic routes to Paris, we have seen a constant increase in our traffic. The larger A330-300 is the perfect answer to our needs in terms of capacity, economics whilst offering the highest standards of comfort to our passengers."

"We are very pleased with this proof of confidence of Air Caraïbes", said Christian Streiff, President and CEO of Airbus, "The switch to the larger A330-300 is the perfect example of the high level of flexibility and commonality of the Airbus product family."

The A330 is part of the market leading Airbus A330/A340 family that has booked more than 1,000 orders from more than 85 customers and operators worldwide.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.

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