Airbus A310

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range widebody airliner. Launched in 1978, it was the second aircraft created by the Airbus consortium of European aerospace companies, which is now fully owned by EADS. The A310 is a shortened derivative of the A300, the first twin-engined widebody airliner. The A310 officially ceased production in July 2007 although the last delivery was in June 1998. The range of the A310 exceeds that of the A300-series with the exception of the A300-600, which surpasses the A310-200. The ability of the A310 to go farther than earlier Airbus designs has led to the aircraft being used extensively on transatlantic routes. The A300 and A310 introduced the concept of commonality: A300-600 and A310 pilots can qualify for the other aircraft with one day of training. Demand for the aircraft started to slow down and there were no new A310 passenger orders during the late 1990s. The A310 ceased production in July 2007, though five orders from Iraqi Airways remained on the books until July 2008.