Transition Will Include A350s As The Airbus Composite  Airplane Becomes Available

Hawaiian Airlines said Thursday that the next step in its long-range fleet renewal and expansion plan with the signing of a new firm order with Airbus to purchase five new A330-200 aircraft for delivery between 2013 and 2015, with purchase rights for an additional three A330s.

Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO, said, "Adding these additional A330-200s to our fleet over the next four years will support the continued expansion of our network and replacement of our current 767-300s. Our guests have responded enthusiastically to the cabin comfort and amenities of the A330-200, which, together with the superior service of our front line employees, offer the best airline experience for travelers to Hawaii."

With these five new A330s on order, Hawaiian will be adding 13 new A330s to its fleet between 2013 and 2015. This is in addition to the five A330s Hawaiian currently has in service and four new A330s that will join the fleet in 2012. The company has financing commitments in place for all of its 2012 deliveries and two of its 2013 orders.

Hawaiian's A330 deliveries between 2013 and 2015 will provide, in part, for the retirement of 10 Boeing 767-300 aircraft over approximately the same period as the company continues its progressive transition to a new fleet of A330s and A350XWB-800 (Extra Wide-Body) aircraft for its North America and international service. Hawaiian's net fleet growth during this period will be three aircraft.

All of Hawaiian's new A330s will carry 294 passengers in a two-class configuration. The airline has used its growing fleet of new A330s to meet increased consumer demand for its services to Honolulu from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tokyo, and will also use A330 aircraft for its daily nonstop New York City-Honolulu service beginning June 5, 2012.

Additional new services are expected to be announced in the coming months.

FMI: www.airbus.com