Aigle Azur (Paris Orly) has ordered two A330-200s for use in launching longhaul operations during the first half of 2018.

In a statement, the French carrier said the aircraft would be equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 powerplants and would feature a three-class layout including Business, Eco+, and Economy class cabins. No details concerning exact configurations were revealed.

"This order gives a major boost to the development of the company that has been ongoing for the past several months," Aigle Azur President Frantz Yvelin said in a statement adding that it marked "an unprecedented strategic shift" in the airline's direction.

"The planned arrival of these two Airbus A330s is thus another concrete step in the development of our young company, aged 71. The company will, therefore, see the upcoming launch of long-haul operations, opening new up horizons in the process."

Aigle Azur is a joint venture between HNA Group, David Neeleman, and French firm Lu Azur S.A. It currently operates one A319-100 and nine A320-200s on scheduled flights to destinations in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Russia, Algeria, Mali, and Lebanon. It had planned to lease two A330-200s from DAE Capital back in 2014 for use in launching longhaul services to Beijing Capital, China. Both moves were eventually abandoned citing difficult market conditions.