Hong Kong Airlines takes delivery of first A321-200
Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong International) has taken delivery of an A321-200, the only example of the type in the operator's all Airbus fleet. B-LPR (msn 4315), formerly with Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi Noi Bai International) as VN-A367, ferried into Hong Kong earlier this month on lease from AerCap, and is now undergoing maintenance checks before beginning revenue operations, expected to occur within the next month.
The A321 is expected to be put into service shortly. In addition, Hong Kong Airlines also recently signed deals to lease two more A320-200s. Both aircraft are expected soon. Earlier this month, ch-aviation reported on comments made by the carrier's Chairman, Sun Jianfeng, who said the airline expected to take delivery of eight aircraft this year, including A320, A321, and A330 types. He also said Hong Kong Airlines would take delivery of a similar number of aircraft over the next few years now it is profitable and has exited a restructuring phase. A Hong Kong Airlines spokesperson told ch-aviation that the airline expects to take delivery of a "few more"A321s this year.
Aside from B-LPR, Hong Kong Airlines operates a fleet of 27 aircraft, including twelve A320-200s, five A330-200s, and ten A330-300s. The airline flies to 31 airports in ten countries.
