According to specialised website FlightGlobal, A330 marketing chief Crawford Hamilton said the delivery of the first A330neo is “imminent”.
The aircraft is parked at the delivery centre and will be handed over “in the coming days”.
The first aircraft was originally due for delivery to TAP in early 2018, but the flight-test programme was delayed, primarily due to hold-ups with the Trent 7000 engines.
Airbus meanwhile also confirmed this week that the A330-900 variant, which offers the lowest seat-mile cost in the midsize widebody category, will soon be entering airline service with launch operator TAP Air Portugal.
The A330-800 and A330-900 have more than 99 percent commonality across the two A330neo versions, and they share the same type rating with the other members of Airbus’ A330 Family – which are the best-selling midsize widebody aircraft ever.
The A330-900 version seats 287 passengers with a typical three-class layout.
The A330neo also is said to have the quietest and most comfortable cabin in its category. Fitted with a new cabin, the A330neo features an innovative and customisable entrance, full LED ambient lighting, new lavatories, as well as the latest in-flight entertainment system for an exclusive experience aloft.