Air Hong Kong Retires A300 as A330 Freighter Fleet Complete
Air Hong Kong has officially completed its seven-year re-fleeting program with the arrival of its final Airbus A330 freighter, marking a significant milestone in the Cathay Group subsidiary’s modernization efforts. The latest delivery enables the airline to operate a fully A330F fleet, phasing out its long-serving Airbus A300-600F aircraft.
The transformation now sees Air Hong Kong operating a fleet of 14 A330 freighters, comprised of 10 A330-300P2F aircraft—converted from passenger configuration—and four A330-200F production freighters. The final A300-600F was retired this month, ending a two-decade run with the airline. First introduced to support logistics giant DHL Express in 2004, the A300-600F played a critical role in Air Hong Kong’s operations, supporting the development of Hong Kong as a leading global cargo hub.
Clarence Tai, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Hong Kong, acknowledged the significance of the transition, noting that the A300-600F had been a key part of the airline’s story for more than 20 years. He emphasized that the switch to the A330 platform represents a new chapter, with modern aircraft offering increased efficiency and performance to meet the evolving needs of the cargo market.
The re-fleeting initiative began in February 2018 with the introduction of the airline’s first wet-leased A330F and reflects Cathay Group’s broader strategy to modernize and expand its cargo and passenger fleets. The group has plans to acquire over 100 next-generation aircraft across its various carriers, including Cathay Pacific, Cathay Cargo, and HK Express.
Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation at DHL Express Asia Pacific, praised the role the A300-600F played in DHL’s regional operations and expressed confidence in the benefits the A330F would bring. He highlighted the foresight shown by Air Hong Kong in committing to a long-term fleet investment that aligns with customer and operational needs.
Established in 1986, Air Hong Kong is Hong Kong’s first all-cargo airline and remains a key air logistics partner for DHL Express. The completion of its re-fleeting program positions the carrier for continued growth in one of the world’s most dynamic air cargo markets.
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