Hong Kong Airlines Seeks Used Aircraft for Long-Haul Expansion

Hong Kong Airlines is actively seeking additional aircraft to support its long-haul network growth as demand surges, according to Vice President Zhan Guicai. With long lead times for new aircraft extending into the next decade, the airline plans to focus on the used aircraft market to meet its expansion goals.

Zhan told Bloomberg that the airline aims to expand its fleet as quickly as possible. Hong Kong Airlines, backed by Hainan Airlines Holding, currently operates 30 aircraft, including 16 Airbus A320-200s, three A321-200s, and 11 A330-300s. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, its fleet totaled around 50 aircraft.

The airline recently launched service to Vancouver, which is performing well with load factors averaging 90%. Building on this success, Zhan said the airline is planning new long-haul routes to Europe, the United States, and Australia, including a new service to Melbourne. Flights to Sydney are scheduled to begin in June.

Hong Kong Airlines’ current network is primarily intra-Asia, with a strong focus on North Asia. The planned expansion marks a strategic shift toward restoring and growing long-haul capacity.

While the used aircraft market presents opportunities, its unpredictability poses challenges for precise fleet planning. Zhan revealed that the airline is negotiating leases for five to ten aircraft, both narrowbody and widebody models. However, the Boeing 787-8 has been ruled out due to its smaller size. The airline declined a recent opportunity to acquire 19 used 787-8s from parent Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines, citing capacity concerns for long-haul routes.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com