Airbus’ new A330-200 Freighter, which has a payload of 70 tonnes – one tonne greater than first expected – has been granted Type Certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), following a successful 200-hour flight-test campaign. According to Airbus, more than 3,400 freighters will be needed in the next 20 years to cater for a 5.2 per cent average annual growth rate. These will include around 1,600 mid-sized freighters, of which the A330-200F will play an important role.