Hong Kong Airlines confirms orders for A330 and A350 XWB
Hong Kong Airlines has finalised a contract with Airbus covering the firm order of 10 more A330-200 long range aircraft and converted an existing order for 15 A330s to the A350 XWB. Both agreements were previously announced upon signature of an initial MOU during the Farnborough Air Show in July this year.
Deliveries of the newly ordered A330-200s will begin in 2012, while the carrier's first A350 XWB will arrive in 2018. The aircraft will be operated across a long haul network currently being developed by the airline to link Hong Kong with a wide range of destinations in Europe and North America.
"Today's announcement underscores our plan to operate an extensive long haul network," said Yang Jian Hong, President, Hong Kong Airlines. "The A330-200 is the perfect platform for us to develop these services, while the all-new A350 XWB will become our new flagship towards the end of this decade."
"We are extremely pleased that Hong Kong Airlines has placed its confidence in our products to build its long range fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. "With the A330 and the A350 XWB, the carrier will be operating the cleanest, most efficient aircraft available in the mid-size widebody market, both now and in the future."
Hong Kong Airlines has now ordered a total 33 widebody aircraft from Airbus, comprising 18 A330s and 15 A350 XWBs. The carrier also has 30 single aisle A320 aircraft on firm order for future delivery.
The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,100 orders for the various versions of the aircraft and over 700 A330s are currently flying with more than 80 airlines worldwide.
Source: AIRBUS
