Hong Kong Airlines Confirms Order for 6 A330-200s

• Carrier to start long range services to Europe

(April 7, 2010) -- Hong Kong Airlines has finalised a firm order with Airbus for six A330-200s. The contract firms up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announced during the Singapore Airshow earlier this year. The new aircraft will be powered by PW 4000 engines.

Hong Kong Airlines now has a total of 23 A330s on order. The first of these will arrive in Hong Kong in the second quarter of this year and will initially be used on existing routes and later to launch the airline's first services to Europe.

"Low operating costs and high levels of cabin comfort make the A330-200 the perfect choice to expand into the long haul market," said Yang Jian Hong, President, Hong Kong Airlines. "We are looking forward to offering passengers a premium service on these routes."

"The order from Hong Kong Airlines is another vote of confidence in the A330 as the most popular widebody in service today," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "With the A330-200 in its fleet the airline will be well placed to develop a profitable long haul operation."

Source : Airbus, an EADS N.V. company (Paris: EAD.PA)