For about ten years, Airbus considered designs for two medium/long range high capacity airliners to complement their A300/A310 wide-bodied range. In June 1987, the Airbus A330/A340 project was officially launched. This advanced concept of a twin-engined A330 and a four-engined A340 with a shared airframe, wing and cockpit design, was unique. The twin-engined A330 first flew in November 1992, over a year after its sister, the A340. First flown with CF6 engines, the A330 is now also available with the PW4000 or the Rolls-Royce Trent, both of which share the same pylon and mount. A shorter, but longer range version, designated -200, was launched in 1995 as a competitor to the Boeing 767-300ER. It can carry 293 passengers over 11,800km (7,332 miles). Swissair is a major operator of the A330-200, and we take pleasure in presenting one of their later editions HB-IQL to grace your collection.