Lithuania’s Heston Airlines signs for three A330s

Heston Airlines (HST, Vilnius) has signed an agreement with Avolon for the lease of three A330-200s, with the first unit due for delivery by mid-August 2021 and all three to arrive by mid-October 2021.

ch-aviation understands the Lithuanian ACMI/charter specialist will add two aircraft in a makeshift freighter configuration with passenger seats removed at this time, while the third one will be outfitted with a standard passenger cabin.

Although the carrier did not disclose the aircraft’s identity, ch-aviation research has revealed that they will be ex-Aeroflot stock – VQ-BBE (msn 1014), VQ-BBF (msn 1045), and VQ-BBG (msn 1047). The aircraft are between 12 and 12.2 years of age and were operated by the Russian flag carrier since delivery. They were retired between February and May 2021 and are currently undergoing maintenance and partial conversion at Hong Kong Int’l airport.

Heston Airlines, which secured its Air Operator’s Certificate in May 2021, currently operates two A320-200s on operating leases from Genesis Aircraft Services. The airline has already signed a third A320-200, msn 2388, from the same lessor.