Airbus Updates No.4287

 

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.

Airbus Updates No.4059

 

Hawaiian Airlines takes first A330-300(P2F)

A330-300P2F© Sven Döring/Agentur Focus

04.07.2023 - 21:40 UTC

Hawaiian Airlines (HA, Honolulu) has taken delivery of its first A330-200(P2F) ahead of the launch of operations for Amazon.com in the fourth quarter of 2023.

N4621K (msn 1902) was ferried after conversion at Shanghai Pudong via Seoul Incheon to Honolulu on July 1-2, 2023. The aircraft is just 4.7 years old and has never operated in a passenger configuration (as it was not taken up by Hong Kong Airlines), making it the world's youngest converted freighter of any type. It was delivered already in Amazon's "PrimeAir" livery. Like all Hawaiian A330-300(P2F)s, N4621K is dry-leased from Altavair.

The Hawaiian airline expects to take two more A330s which are under P2F conversion with no prior passenger service history, as well as seven older, ex-Etihad Airways jets. The aircraft will undergo pre-induction maintenance at Honolulu airport.

Chief Executive Peter Ingram told ch-aviation recently the freighters' initial base will be Cincinnati International. All ten aircraft are to be inducted into service by the end of 2024.

The A330-300(P2F)s will be the only dedicated freighters operated by Hawaiian Airlines. The carrier's passenger fleet includes twenty-four A330-200s.

Airbus Updates No.4057

 

Hawaiian Airlines welcomes 1st Airbus A330-300P2F

On 2 July 2023, the first Airbus A330-300P2F for Hawaiian Airlines arrived at Honolulu (HI) after a ferry-flight from Shanghai-Pudong via Seoul-Incheon. The Airbus is registered N4621K (1902). It was originally built for Hong Kong Airlines as B-LHI but was never taken-up and has been stored for quite a while at Tarbes-Lourdes. Since November 2022, it was at Shanghai-Pudong for the conversion into a freighter.

The Airbus is the first of ten A330-300P2Fs Hawaiian Airlines will operate for Amazon Prime Air. The Airbuses will be based at Cincinnati-Kentucky International (KY), which has a large Amazon-hub. The remaining nine are expected to all be delivered before the end of next year.

Once in service, the A330s will also be the first Airbus-freighters in use for Amazon. Until now, Amazon has only been flying with ATR72s, Boeing B737-800(F)s, and B767-300(F)s.

Airbus Updates No.1951

Hong Kong Airlines delays A350 deliveries - report

Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A350-900 © Airbus

27.09.2018 - 17:02 UTC

Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong Int'l) will delay the deliveries of four A350-900s initially scheduled to deliver in 2018 to 2019, the South China Morning Post has reported. The airline will also postpone the launch of either one or both of its planned services to London and New York JFK to at least 2019.

The adjustment has to do with the carrier reacting to the changing market conditions and its first experiences from North American services, a source said. Hong Kong Airlines currently serves Los Angeles Int'l, San Francisco, CA, and Vancouver Int'l in North America.

The carrier will also terminate its only European service, to Moscow Vnukovo, on October 20, 2018.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Hong Kong Airlines currently operates five A350-900s with a further fifteen units on order from Airbus. Its widebody passenger fleet also includes eleven A330-200s and eleven A330-300s.

Hong Kong Airlines is also evaluating a possible IPO, which could provide cash to the carrier's debt-ridden parent HNA Group.

HNA Group is currently separately trying to sell CNY700 million yuan (USD102 million) worth of real estate holdings in Hong Kong, currently controlled by its local unit HNA International, Apple Daily has reported.

Airbus Updates No.1658

HONG KONG AIRLINES TAKES DELIVERY OF ITS FIRST AIRBUS A350-900

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Hong Kong Airlines Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus A350-900

September 01

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 by María Corina Roldan 0 Comments

MIAMI – Hong Kong Airlines received an A350-900 leased from AerCap, Airbus announced today. The aircraft is the first of four that will be delivered also on a long term lease.

Zhang Kui, Co-Chairman of Hong Kong Airlines showed his excitement with the delivery of the new aircraft:

We are excited to have the first A350 joining our modern and young fleet, which marks an important milestone in our transformation from a regional airline to an international carrier. This latest generation of long range aircraft will help boost our long haul route network and further strengthen our role as a home carrier of Hong Kong – the world’s aviation hub.

In addition to the superior operating efficiency provided with the new A350, our passengers will enjoy a new level of comfort and well-being including wider seats that offer a high level of comfort expected for long-haul travel, an all-new inflight entertainment experience and inflight connectivity. I believe our passengers will be thrilled with such exceptional experience

With the delivery, Hong Kong Airlines becomes the 15th airline to operate the twin aisle airliner. Their second A350-900 aircraft is scheduled for delivery in November 2017.

Hong Kong Airlines configured all their A350-900 with a Premium three-class layout including a total of 334 seats, comprising 33 in Business Class, convertible to lie-flat beds, 108 in Economy Comfort and 193 in Economy Class.

The A350-900 features the airline’s cabin products, including an entertainment system and full in-flight connectivity. The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage, and wings, fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. It also has 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions and lower maintenance costs.

AerCap President and Chief Commercial Officer Philip Scruggs said:

AerCap is proud to deliver the first of four new A350 aircraft to Hong Kong Airlines. The aircraft will form the main pillar of Hong Kong Airlines’ growth plans into the next decade, enabling the airline to provide a level of service and fly to markets that were not possible prior to today. We wish our friends and partners at Hong Kong Airlines every success as they continue to grow their business.

After an initial period flying on regional routes, the carrier’s A350-900 will begin long-haul operations on December 18, 2017, flying on the new Hong Kong Airlines’ nonstop service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The inaugural flight to Los Angeles will mark a milestone since is the first time an Airbus A350 lands at LAX. Only American Airlines and Cathay Pacific currently fly nonstop between LAX and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Airlines will offer a four-time a week flight on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Beginning January 16, 2018, the carrier will upgrade frequency with daily flights.

To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 848 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 45 customers. With 287 firm orders for the A350 from carriers in Asia-Pacific, the region represents over a third of total sales for the type to date.

Airbus Updates No.1561

Hong Kong Airlines confirms order for 9 more A330s

Fast-growing airline committed to Airbus widebody fleet

15 SEPTEMBER 2016 PRESS RELEASE

Hong Kong Airlines has signed a contract with Airbus for the firm order of nine additional A330-300 aircraft.

The aircraft will be operated across a network which links Hong Kong with a wide range of destinations in Asia, and beyond.

"Today's announcement underscores our plan to operate an extensive regional network in Asia," said Zhang Kui, President, Hong Kong Airlines. "The A330’s flexibility also allows us to further deploy these aircraft to some long haul routes in the future, and we are going to operate the all-new A350 XWB in 2017 which will open a new chapter of our international operations."

"We are extremely pleased that Hong Kong Airlines again places its confidence in our products to expand its widebody fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. "With the A330, the carrier will be operating the most cost-efficient and versatile widebody aircraft, both now and in the future."

Hong Kong Airlines currently operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising of 11 A320s and 22 A330s including 5 A330-200 Freighters. By the end of 2018, its fleet size will reach over 50 with the delivery of its first A350-900 aircraft.

The A330 Family, which includes Passenger, Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,600 orders. Over 1,250 A330 Family aircraft are flying with some 120 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics. With numerous on-going product enhancements entering service in the coming years, the A330 Family remains the most cost-efficient and capable widebody aircraft. Today’s A330 have an operational reliability of 99.4 percent.

Airbus Updates No.804

Airbus A320  -232  2676     SU-NMC  Nesma Airlines  delivery 24sep12 SEN-CAI  ex N676AG
Airbus A320  -214  5264     B-LPF  Hong Kong Airlines  delivery 24-25sep12 TLS-AUH-HKG   ex F-WWIA
 Airbus A320  -214  5266     B-LPG  Hong Kong Airlines  delivery 24-25sep12 TLS-AUH-HKG   ex F-WWIB

Airbus Updates No.764

Hong Kong may cancel A380 order

 

Hong Kong Airlines (HX) is considering canceling its order for 10 Airbus A380s according to newswire AFP, amid ongoing Chinese government protests against the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme tax (EU ETS) (ATW Daily News, March 9).

"There are no firm decisions at this point. It will depend on how the business and the external environment evolves in the future," an HX spokesman told AFP. Despite the possible cancellation, the spokesperson told AFP that HX would eventually have an “all Airbus” fleet.

Consequently, it is also considering delaying delivery of six Boeing 777Fs, originally slated for delivery in 2013 and 2014, to “after”2015, according to Reuters, and replace five 787-800s and two 737-300Fs with A330s and A320s this year.

The carrier earlier this month said it would cease service between Hong Kong and London Gatwick from Sept. 10, to focus on a regional Asia-Pacific model following a review of its European strategy due to the weak economic outlook (ATW Daily News, Aug. 9). The announcement came on the heels of a Hong Kong Civil Aviation Dept. ruling to freeze HX’s fleet expansion plans due to safety concerns surrounding its rapid fleet expansion (ATW Daily News, Aug. 7).

The A380 order, placed in January, is valued at about $3.8 billion at list prices and was scheduled for first delivery in 2015 (ATW Daily News, Jan. 10).

Airbus Updates No.603

Hong Kong Airlines takes delivery of its first A320

 

Carrier also adds all-premium class A330 to fleet

25 January 2012 Press Release

 

Hong Kong Airlines has become a new operator of Airbus single aisle aircraft, following the delivery of its first A320. The aircraft is the first of 30 A320s ordered by the airline and is powered by CFM International’s CFM 56 engines. Seating 152 passengers in two classes, the A320s will be operated across the carrier’s regional network, linking Hong Kong with destinations in mainland China, and North and South East Asia.

Hong Kong Airlines has also taken delivery of its latest long range A330-200, featuring a new all-premium class layout. With luxurious accommodation for just 116 passengers, the aircraft will be used to launch new non-stop services to London. The delivery increases the carrier’s in-service  widebody fleet to 10 aircraft, comprising seven A330-200 passenger aircraft and three A330-200F freighters.

"With the delivery of our first A320 and the new all-premium class A330 Hong Kong Airlines will consolidate further its position as a premier full-service carrier,” said Yang Jian Hong, President, Hong Kong Airlines. "The on-board features will ensure that we are able to offer the best possible in-flight experience, while benefitting from the economic efficiency offered by these modern aircraft types.”

"We are pleased to see Hong Kong Airlines become a new A320 operator and also increase its Airbus long range fleet,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. "These modern and fuel-efficient aircraft will offer Hong Kong Airlines the lowest operating costs in both regional and medium capacity long haul markets, as well as a level of technical commonality unique to the Airbus product line.”

The A320 Family is the best-selling and most modern single aisle product line available today, with over 8,300 aircraft ordered and some 5,000 delivered to some 340 customers and operators worldwide.

Airbus has recorded nearly 1,200 orders for the A330 Family and more than 800 aircraft are flying with some 90 operators worldwide. In addition to passenger aircraft, the A330 Family also includes freighter, VIP and military transport / tanker variants.

Airbus Updates No.582

Airbus Wins Order for A380s From Hong Kong Airlines 

Airbus, the world’s largest passenger-jet maker, won a contract from Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. (HKAIRZ) for 10 double decker A380s, valued at about $3.8 billion at list prices.

The planemaker plans to deliver the first A380 to the Chinese airline, backed by HNA Group, in 2015, Kenneth Thong, head of corporate governance and international affairs at the carrier, said in an interview today. Airbus spokesman Stefan Schaffrath declined to comment on orders in advance of a Jan. 17 press conference.

The orders lifts Airbus’s A380 backlog to 188 planes, amid doubts surrounding Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. (KAIR)’s ability to proceed with its planned purchase of five A380s. The Indian airline has reduced flights and in late 2011 deferred delivery of its orders,which include five Airbus A350-800s, 15 A330s, and 24 A320s, to preserve cash.

“We’re in constant communication with Kingfisher but as always, we can’t give details about talks with customers,” said Justin Dubon, a spokesman for Airbus, by telephone from Toulouse.

Shares of Kingfisher fell the most in three weeks today after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India requested that it provide a recovery plan following financial and safety audits.

“I don’t see any significant deliveries coming over the next couple of years for Kingfisher,” said Kapil Kaul, the Indian director for CAPA Centre for Aviation, which advises carriers. “Certainly not this year, not next year, though if the airline’s performance improves Airbus should be able to keep the planes in the backlog.”

The Hong Kong Air order hasn’t yet appeared in Airbus’s order and delivery figures on the Internet. It will bring Airbus’s order tally for A380s to 27 won last year, when the manufacturer also signed contracts with Japan’s Skymark Airlines and South Korea’s Asiana Airlines Inc. for six each, and a further five for Qatar Airways Ltd.