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The twin-engine A330 and the four-engine A340 were developed as a medium-capacity widebody family of aircraft for regional, long range, and ultra- long range routes. With over 320 firm orders from 41 different customers, the 330 and 340 series have established a market lead (44%) in the 250-350 seat category. The A330-300, which entered service in 1994, is capable of flying 335 passengers up to 4,800 miles non-stop. The smaller A330-200, scheduled to begin service in 1998, carries up to 293 passengers for 6,400 miles. Major operators include Cathay Pacific, Air Inter, Air Lingus, Dragonair, LTU, and Thai Airways International.

Airbus Industrie was formed in 1970 as a multinational effort between Germany, England and France to create a high-capicity twin-jet transport (this developed into the A300). Today Airbus Industrie has become the world's second largest manufacturer of civil airliners which seat over 100 passengers. In it's first 25 years Airbus has sold over 2,100 aircraft, with more than 1400 in service worldwide. The consortium is headquartered in southwest France near the city of Toulouse and owned by Europe's four leading aerospace companies (Aerospatiale of France, Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus of Germany, British Aerospace, and Casa of Spain).