Hong Kong Airlines has become the first operator of the Airbus A330-200F freighter in East Asia, following the delivery of the first of three A330-200Fs which the airline is taking on long-term lease from U.S. lessor Aircastle Limited.
The carrier will operate the three A330-200F freighters, which will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engines, on services linking Hong Kong with destinations across Asia, as well as to the Middle East and Europe.
Aircastle says the three A330-200Fs are the first freighter aircraft to deliver as part of the leasing company’s new Airbus Model A330 acquisition program. Aircastle (and lessee Hong Kong Airlines) expect to receive the remaining two A330-200F freighters in late 2010 and early 2011.
Debt financing for the purchase of Aircastle’s first A330-200F was arranged and provided by Citibank, N.A. and supported by a guarantee from Compagnie Francaise d’Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, the French export credit agency. The debt for the transaction bears interest at a rate of 2.645 per cent per annum and will be repaid over the 12-year term of the lease with Hong Kong Airlines.
The A330-200F freighter made its first flight on November 5, 2009, from Toulouse Blagnac Airport in southwestern France, home of Airbus' headquarters and various of its final-assembly lines
“The A330-200F will enable Hong Kong Airlines to enter the dedicated cargo market with the most efficient aircraft available today in its class,” says Yang Jian Hong, president of Hong Kong Airlines. “With our new freight services we will be able to complement our fast-growing passenger network as we work to build Hong Kong Airlines as one of the leading carriers in the Asian region.”
“The air cargo business is experiencing a strong recovery, and we are excited to work with Hong Kong Airlines to introduce the most modern and efficient freighter aircraft in its class to this market,” says Ron Wainshal, chief executive officer of Aircastle. “We believe the Airbus A330 freighter is a great long-term investment, and completing this delivery and the related financing represents another important milestone for our A330 program.”
Wainshal adds: “The A330-200F’s extended payload range and low operating costs make it the best aircraft in its class. This is the first of three aircraft from our order stream committed to Hong Kong Airlines and an important addition to Aircastle’s diversified portfolio of modern aircraft.”
The A330-200F is the latest addition to the Airbus A330 family. Airbus says the A330-200F offers the lowest operating costs in its size category and is the only modern mid-size, long haul, all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 65 tonnes over 4,000nm (7,400km) or 70 tonnes over 3,200nm (5,900km).
Stamford, Connecticut-based Aircastle Limited acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of June 30, 2010 Aircastle’s aircraft portfolio consisted of 129 aircraft and the company had 63 lessees located in 36 countries.
Related to this story:
- MASkargo Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus A330-200F
- Turkish Airlines Receives Its First A330-300 and First A330-200F
- Airbus Hands Over Etihad’s First A330-200F Freighter at Farnborough
- Hong Kong Airlines Signs MOU for 15 A350 XWBs and 10 More A330s
- Hong Kong Airlines Finalizes Order for Six More A330-200s
