Brazilian Air Force opts for two Airbus A330s
After the lease of a commercial Boeing 767-31AER, serial 2900 (construction number 26470/416) for 36 months was finished in July 2019, the long range strategic transport mission within the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) could not be fulfilled anymore.
In various attempts to either prolongue the lease or acquire another B767, nothing but conflict arose. The costs were too high and corruption was suspected.
On 28 January 2021, President Jair Bolsonaro anounced that two Airbus A330s will be obtained for the FAB.
The source of these aircraft was not disclosed, nor is it clear whether these A330s are to be leased or bought.
The unit that is slated to operate the A330s is 2°/2°GT Corsário, part of Ala 11 based at Base Aerea Galeão co-located with Rio de Janeiro/Antônio Carlos Jobim International airport (Brazil).
The B767 2900 was returned to the Bank of Utah Trustee, Salt Lake City (UT), in July 2019 with registration N328MP.
Photo by Raymond van Dijkhuizen