Descending to Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok (HKG) airport is the second-newest Hong Kong Airlines freighter – and it’s not an A330-200F. Earlier this fall we brought you Sandro Koster’s image of Hong Kong Airlines’ first A330F, the 2nd to be delivered. But today we’re bringing you A 737-39K(F), a converted 733 which Hong Kong took redelivery of this spring, prior to the arrival of the A330F. The image comes courtesy of contributor Alastair T. Gardiner.
B-LHO (msn: 27274) is the third freighter to be converted for Hong Kong Airlines by Pemco, the other two being B-LHM (msn: 27362) and B-LHN (msn: 25998). All three of these aircraft previously flew pax for China Xinhua Airlines, which only operates 737s (-300, -400, & -800), though one (LHN) was actually delivered new to Delta in 1993. LHO was built that same year.
Though the attention has been focused on the new routes for the A330-200F, Hong Kong Airlines flies cargo shorter distances within China and southeast Asia with these narrow-body freighters. Cargo destinations include Qingdao (TAO), Xiamen (XMN), Singapore (SIN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), among others which are also served by pax operations.
This photo may not be used without the express permission of Alastair T. Gardiner.