US Airways has taken delivery of a third new Airbus A330-200 aircraft, for a lease from Guggenheim Aviation Partners, as part of its fleet modernisation programme.

The A330-200, the shortest-fuselage version of Airbus’s A330 series, offers superior payload capability and greater cargo volume on medium-capacity routes to extended-range operations.

With an overall length of 59m and a range of up to 6,750nm (12,500km), the A330-200 can accommodate 253 passengers in its first / business / economy-class layout, while its two-class configuration accommodates 293 passengers.

GAP chief executive officer Steve Rimmer said these efficient aircraft provide US Airways with the ability to continue its fleet modernisation programme and offer its customers a wider array of destinations from its international hubs.

The first two A330-200s were delivered to the airline in the middle of 2009.