Hawaiian Airlines has launched its long-range fleet renewal and expansion program by taking delivery of the first of up to 27 new, wide-body Airbus aircraft that will be integrated into its fleet over the next decade.
Hawaiian took possession of the 294-seat Airbus A330-200 in a formal acceptance ceremony at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, attended by Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Mark Dunkerley (pictured at right with the new A330 behind him).
The new A330 is scheduled to arrive at Honolulu International Airport on the morning of May 3,
after which the aircraft and its flight crews will undergo the preparations needed to start service on the Honolulu-Los Angeles route in early June.
Hawaiian plans to have up to 27 new Airbus aircraft as part of its fleet by the end of this decade.
Hawaiian is leasing three A330s that are joining the fleet this year, and has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus to acquire seven A330s (starting in 2011) and six A350XWB-800 (Extra Wide-Body) aircraft (starting in 2017), as well as purchase rights for an additional five A330s and six A350s.
Photo courtesy of Airbus.