Airbus Updates No.4584

 

South African Airways' added leases delayed to 2026

South African Airways' network rebuilding strategy has been set back, as an A320-200 and two A330-200s originally scheduled for delivery in 2025 from various lessors are now expected only in 2026, after their current operators chose to retain the aircraft longer, according to CCO Tebogo Tsimane.

He told Aviation Week at the recent 57th annual general assembly of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) in Luanda, Angola, that the setback has "put our plan behind. This capacity is important to improve our codeshares and our connectivity because we are a network carrier and we are building a connecting schedule around Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, and then secondarily around Cape Town International."

SAA is looking for additional leased A330s to enter service in the second half of 2026, Tsimane said.

Group CEO John Lamola recently told ch-aviation that two A330-300s from flynas (XY, Riyadh), which were awaiting cabin modifications at Istanbul Airport, are no longer being taken due to high modification costs. He said replacements had been identified but declined to elaborate.

Lamola confirmed to ch-aviation at the AFRAA event that SAA is poised to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for its long-term fleet requirements before the end of 2025. The news was broken by ch-aviation in an earlier interview with Lamola, where he disclosed that SAA plans to purchase 28 new-generation airframes plus accompanying engines to be delivered from 2032 as part of its long-term fleet plan.

The airline is looking to acquire up to 16 widebodies for long-haul routes to be delivered in tranches of five from 2032, plus 12 new-generation narrowbodies, also to be delivered from 2032, to replace the airline’s A320-200s, whose leases are expiring.

Codeshare partnerships

In the meantime, SAA is accelerating its partnership growth, having signed new codeshare agreements with TAAG Angola Airlines in Luanda on December 1. SAA will add its flight code to TAAG-operated flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Luanda Dr António Agostinho Neto and onward connections to Lisbon and São Paulo Guarulhos.

This was followed by a codeshare agreement between SAA and Turkish Airlines on December 4, signed alongside a Star Alliance Chief Executive Board meeting in Geneva. SAA will codeshare on Turkish-operated flights from Istanbul to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban King Shaka, Frankfurt International, Paris CDG, and London Heathrow.

This follows similar commercial partnerships in 2025 with Lufthansa, Emirates, and CemAir.

SAA currently operates an in-house fleet of 18 aircraft, including fourteen leased A320-200s, two leased A330-300s, and two company-owned A340-300s. In addition, it wet-leases one A330-300 from Hi Fly Malta for added capacity regionally to Accra and Abidjan and intercontinentally to Brazil; and two B737-800s from SunExpress to boost domestic capacity over the December peak summer holiday season in South Africa.

Airbus Updates No.4548

 

South Korea's Parata Air operates first commercial flight

Start-up carrier Parata Air (WE, Yangyang) commenced scheduled operations on September 30, with its first commercial flight operated with A330-200 HL8709 (msn 1016), from Seoul Gimpo to Yangyang.

The flight marked the resumption of commercial air services at Yangyang following the sudden closure of Fly Gangwon, the airline's precursor, in May 2023.

Initially, Parata Air will operate domestic flights from Jeju to Seoul Gimpo (6x weekly) and Yangyang (daily). At the start of the winter 2025/2026 schedule, the airline's A320-200, HL8742 (msn 3978), will enter into service to add more flights on its existing network.

In November, the start-up carrier plans to begin operations via Seoul Incheon, with Nha Trang Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Osaka Kansai, and Tokyo Narita eyed as maiden international destinations, according to local media.

South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) issued an air transport business licence to Parata Air in July and reissued its air operator's certificate (AOC) in early September.

Airbus Updates No.4459

 

Korean Air leases A330-200 due to delivery delays

Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) has signed a dry-lease agreement with CALC for one A330-200, returning to the type's operations less than half a year after it was retired. The widebody was delivered to Korean Air in March 2025, added to cover for the delayed deliveries of new aircraft.

Although the airline did not announce which aircraft would join its fleet, but ch-aviation research revealed that B-6135 (msn 1096) flew from Guangzhou and Busan on March 12. It has not been active since. The 15.1 year-old jet is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines and is outfitted with 242 economy class seats and 18 in business class. It was last operated by China Southern Airlines, but the ferry flight to Korea was not under that airline's code. It will likely become HL8707 once registered in Korea.

The Korean-language news site The Guru reported, citing an unnamed Korean Air official, that the carrier had decided to dry-lease the aircraft amid delivery delays of factory-new jets. "Nothing has been specifically decided on routes or the timing of the deployment," he added.

ch-aviation asked Korean Air for comment on the new lease deal.

The carrier previously operated eight A330-200s but retired the last of the type in October 2024. It still operates twenty A330-300s, according to ch-aviation fleets data.

Korean Air's chief executive, Won-Tae Cho, said that the airline was "short by about 20 aircraft per manufacturer" which is why it is forced to prolong the service of its A380-800s and B747-8s. Korean is set to receive forty-one A321-200NX, four A350-900s, twenty-seven A350-1000s, nineteen B737-8s, nine B787-10s, and six B787-9s.

Airbus Updates No.4184

 

HiSky welcomes 1st Airbus A330

On 19 December 2023, HiSky Europe welcomed its first Airbus A330. The airline announced in September 2023 that it planned to expand the fleet with the type, and now it has taken delivery of A330-243 YR-KID (1138). The Airbus was previously flying passengers for Sichuan Airlines and has been retired by that airline in March 2022.

Next to utilizing the A330 for charters, HiSky is planning to launch direct Bucharest-New York (NY) as of 7 June 2024. It will fly the route four times a week, making it the only Romanian airline to fly the route.

HiSky Europe also operates four A320s, and two A321neos. Subsidiary HiSky from Moldavia has a single A319.

Photo by HiSky Europe.

Airbus Updates No.3790

 

Air Greenland puts its sole A330-200 up for sale

Air Greenland Airbus A330-200© Tis Meyer / PlanePics.org

09.09.2022 - 06:41 UTC

Air Greenland (GL, Nuuk) has listed its sole A330-200 for sale. The airline has appointed Skytech-AIC to handle the transaction which will see OY-GRN (msn 230) leave the airline after 16 years of service. The company-owned plane, which is powered by Pratt & Whitney 4168A engines, is 24 years old and is available from March 2023.

The sale comes as the airline awaits the arrival of an A330-800N (msn 2020) which is due for delivery later this year. "(The) Airbus 330-800neo means an improved customer experience, lower CO2 emissions, more seats and more space for freight across the Atlantic," the airline's 2022 annual report says.

In addition to the A330-200, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows Air Greenland also operates a single DHC-8-200 and six DHC-8-Q200s as well as various helicopters. The airline serves 60 destinations in three countries, with the Airbus jet operating flights to Reykjavik Keflavik (Iceland) and Copenhagen Kastrup (Denmark).

Airbus Updates No.3564

 

Condor to add A330-200s

According to CH-Aviation, Condor will add two A330-200s to its fleet. A first one is expected to arrive before the end of this year, the second early next year. Both are reported to be former Etihad Airways-aircraft currently stored at Teruel.

The airline is adding the A330-200s to train cockpit and cabin-crew and prepare the airline for the arrival of its first A330-900 in the autumn of next year.

Condor has ordered seven A330-900s with Airbus directly and signed a lease-agreement for nine more. The airline will use the new Airbuses to replace its ageing fleet of fifteen B767-300ERs.

Airbus Updates No.2887

 

American Airlines retires Airbus A330-200s

American Airlines Airbus A330-300© American Airlines

26.10.2020 - 02:39 UTC

American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) has decided to permanently retire all of its remaining A330-200s, the last of its widebody Airbus aircraft.

"As we have spoken about in the past, our long-held strategy has been to drive efficiencies through the simplification of our fleet. With the permanent retirement of our A330-200 fleet announced this morning, we now have only four aircraft types [families] in our mainline fleet: the B737, the A320, the B787, and the B777," Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr said during an earnings call.

Before the announcement, American Airlines had fifteen A330-200s in its fleet. The aircraft are 8.9 years old on average and are all owned by the airline. They were all retired from active service between mid-February and April 4, 2020, and have since been stored at Roswell airport. According to Flightradar24 ADS-B data, American's last A330-200 revenue flight was AA1869 from Philadelphia Int'l to Charlotte Int'l, operated on April 4, 2020, with N280AY (msn 1022).

American Airlines recorded a USD709 million non-cash write-down during the third quarter of 2020 as a result of the A330-200s' retirement.

The carrier has previously announced the retirement of all of its B757, B767, E190, A330-300, and CRJ200 aircraft, amounting to more than 150 units phased-out during 2020. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the carrier's remaining mainline fleet comprises 133 A319-100s, forty-eight A320-200s, 218 A321-200s, twenty-three A321-200NXs, 304 B737-800s, forty-seven B777-200(ER)s, twenty B777-300(ER)s, twenty-three B787-8s, and twenty-two B787-9s.

American Airlines also has twenty-four grounded B737-8s and a further 76 of the type on order from Boeing. It said that the deliveries of the forthcoming units could be deferred.

"We have reached an agreement with Boeing to secure deferral rights on eight of our 2021 MAX deliveries and all 10 of our MAX deliveries in 2022. If the deferral rates are ultimately exercised, these aircraft can be deferred to the second half of 2023 through the first quarter of 2024. To avoid exercising these deferral rates, we would need to see substantial improvement in the demand environment," Kerr said.

The airline still has ten B737 MAX 8s scheduled to deliver in 2021, excluding those subject to potential deferrals.

"We retain inexpensive optionality in our total fleet count as we have 51 aircraft with lease expirations through the end of 2022. In addition, we have more than 200 older owned mainline and regional aircraft that could be efficiently part should demand conditions deteriorate," Kerr added.

American Airlines also said that it had amended its loan agreement with the US Treasury, potentially increasing the amount of borrowing available to it from USD5.5 billion to USD7.5 billion. It underlined that so far, it has only drawn USD550 million under the facility.

Airbus Updates No.2816

Pakistan's Serene Air adds maiden widebody, an A330-200

Illustration of Serene Air Airbus A330-200© Serene Air

01.09.2020 - 00:49 UTC

Serene Air (ER, Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Int'l) took delivery of its first widebody aircraft, an A330-200, on August 27, 2020.

AP-BNE (msn 733), a 14.5-year-old twinjet previously operated by Air Europa (UX, Palma de Mallorca) and owned by Carlyle Aviation Partners, was ferried after maintenance and repainting at Châteauroux directly to Karachi Int'l, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. It has yet to be deployed into commercial service.

The A330 is the first of a trio due to join Serene Air's fleet. The privately-owned carrier currently operates four B737-800s on domestic routes within Pakistan. As of September 1, 2020, it intends to operate its full pre-COVID domestic schedule.

"Serene Air is ready to commence international operations to Dubai Int'l and Sharjah in the UAE and followed by Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia," Muhammad Safdar Khan, CEO of Serene Air, said in a statement to the Khaleej Times newspaper. "We will foray into the Saudi market later this year and we also have firm plans to explore key destinations in China and the UK."

"With this addition, we are poised to become stronger and thrive in the intensively competitive airline industry. This is the start of fleet enhancement as Serene Air would be adding two more A330s to its fleet in the next three to four months," Khan added.

While Serene Air's B737-800s are configured in single-class layouts, the A330-200 features 299 seats in a dual-class layout - with 275 economy class seats and 24 business class seats.

The airline became the second active Pakistani carrier operating passenger widebody jets after PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Int'l).

Airbus Updates No.2532

Air Greenland to sell its only Airbus A330-200 aircraft

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland - Air Greenland is putting its only Airbus A330-200 for sale. The company is replacing the 21.5-year-old aircraft with a brand new A330-800.

The airline will receive its first A330neo at the end of 2021.

Air Greenland appointed Skytech-AIC for the sale of its PW4000-powered Airbus A330-200. The aircraft, which was manufactured in 1998 and has been in service with Air Greenland since 2002.

Skytech-AIC is a British aerospace company providing services to airlines and investors in aircraft finance, procurement, remarketing and fleet asset protection.

Airbus Updates No.2056

SriLankan Airlines seeks to lease out "unsuitable" A330-200

SriLankan Airlines Airbus A330-200 © Tis Meyer / PlanePics.org

22.01.2019 - 17:49 UTC

SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo Int'l) said it will seek to sub-lease or charter one of its A330-200s, 4R-ALS (msn 1008), as this particular aircraft is "not suitable" for the airline's current business model.

"The cabin configuration of this aircraft, which was manufactured in 2009, is not suitable for SriLankan Airlines’ operations, having many seats and minimum space between seats in its Business Class cabin. The aircraft remains at Colombo Int'l as part of the SriLankan fleet, although it is not in use due to the above-mentioned reasons," the airline said in a statement.

SriLankan also confirmed it is currently using the Airbus widebody for spares and it has removed one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines to use it for one of the active A330-200s.

The aircraft in question was added by SriLankan Airlines in 2017 as a part of a settlement with AerCap against the cancellation of the order of four new A350-900s. It was previously operated by Hi Fly (5K, Lisbon) as CS-TFZ. Following the 2017 transaction, the aircraft was never actually taken up by SriLankan and continued to be operated by the Portuguese ACMI/charter specialist through September 27, 2018. It was then repositioned to Colombo on October 3, 2018, and has remained grounded there since, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

SriLankan Airlines currently operates six A330-200s in active service. Each of them is equipped with 18 business class seats and 251-256 economy class seats. For comparison, 4R-ALS has 42 business class seats and 288 economy class seats.

Airbus Updates No.1598

Iran Air receives its first A330-200 as fleet upgrade continues

10 MARCH 2017 PRESS RELEASE

Iran Air has taken delivery of its first new A330-200.

The delivery of the aircraft is part of Iran Air’s major fleet renewal plan, and is the first wide body from a firm order placed by the national carrier of Iran in December 2016 for 100 Airbus aircraft (46 single aisle and 54 wide-body jets) to renew and expand its fleet with new aircraft.  

Iran Air’s A330-200 features a two class cabin layout, seating 32 passengers in business and 206 in economy. 

The delivery, which took place at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse, marks yet another milestone for Iran Air, as it celebrates its 56 anniversary since establishment. 

The A330 Family includes Freighter, VIP, and has now attracted more than 1,500 orders. Over 1,100 A330 Family aircraft are flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics. 

Airbus Updates No.1389

A330-200 with increased range receives EASA certification

New A330 242 tonne version flies up to 15 hours non-stop

8 SEPTEMBER 2015 PRESS RELEASE

Airbus’ successful A330-200 has received EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) certification for the new 242 tonne Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) version, following certification in April 2015 (*) of the 242t A330-300. Certification from the US authorities (FAA) will follow.

Eric Zanin, Airbus Head of the A330 Programme said: “With this new 242t A330-200 our customers will benefit from even more range plus a proven 99.4 percent reliability, while offering their passengers best-in-class comfort. It’s unbeatable operating costs and unique versatility make the A330 Family a highly competitive solution in the medium to long haul market.”

The range of the new A330-200 242t increases by up to 350 nautical miles/650 kilometres compared to today’s 238 tonne model, allowing customers to fly missions up to 7,250 nm/ 13,400 km. Thanks to aerodynamic refinements and engine enhancements, operators will reduce their fuel consumption by up two percent.

Launched in 2012 and already in service on the larger A330-300 model, the 242 tonne variant is the platform for the A330neo – yet another concrete example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy.

The A330 Family seats 250 to 300 passengers (in a typical 3 class configuration) and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants. To date the A330 Family has attracted more than 1,500 orders and around 1,200 A330s are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.