More freighters for Hong Kong Airlines?

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HONG KONG AIRLINES took delivery of the
first of three AIRBUS A330-200 Freighters it will lease from AIRCASTLE. (See Sandro Koster’s great picture of the freighter in our Photos section https://www.cargofacts.net/photo/hong-kong-airlines-a330243f?context…) Hong Kong Airlines, a subsidiary of the HAINAN AIRLINES GROUP (HNA), will operate the three freighters from Hong Kong to destinations in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The carrier, which currently also operates two 737-300Fs, is the first in Asia, and the second overall (after Abu Dhabi-based ETIHAD AIRWAYS) to take delivery of an A330-200F.

Parent HNA Group is believed to be planning to lease up to five more A330-200Fs from BOC AVIATION, but it is not known which of its subsidiary carriers will operate these units. HNA is also the parent of Shanghai-based YANGTZE RIVER EXPRESS, and Hong Kong-based HONG KONG EXPRESS, as well as HAINAN AIRLINES.

We note also that rumors have begun circulating in Hong Kong and China that HNA may be planning to take Hong Kong Airlines public, and that the carrier would then directly purchase several A330-200Fs directly from Airbus, but so far this is still rumor.