Air Hong Kong Transitions to a Modern Fleet with Exclusive Airbus A330F Freighters

According to a recent announcement from Air Hong Kong (AHK), the pioneering all-cargo airline in Hong Kong and part of the Cathay Group, they have reached an exciting new milestone. The airline, alongside its major partner DHL express, has successfully wrapped up a seven-year re-fleeting initiative. with the arrival of their final A330F freighter and the retirement of their last A300-600F model, Air Hong Kong is now fully equipped with an all-Airbus A330F fleet, marking a significant evolution in its nearly four-decade journey.

Air hong Kong kicked off operations with the A300-600F for DHL Express back in 2004. Over 21 years,this aircraft has played a crucial role in ensuring safe and dependable service for both Air Hong Kong and DHL Express. The A300-600F fleet has substantially contributed to making Hong Kong an international aviation hub by transporting nearly three million tonnes of express cargo throughout its service life.

The completion of this re-fleeting program means that Air Hong Kong now boasts a total fleet of 14 A330Fs. This includes ten converted passenger-to-freighter models (A330-300P2Fs), where Air Hong Kong stands as one of the initial customers and currently ranks among the largest operators globally, along with four dedicated freighters (A330-200Fs).

Clarence Tai, Chief Operating Officer at Air Hong Kong remarked: “the A300-600F has been integral to our operations for over two decades. Its impact on our business—and on the broader aviation landscape in Hong Kong—has been immense as we transition into this thrilling new era.”

“The advanced capabilities of the new-generation A330F will allow us to enhance our services further while supporting continued growth within HK’s air cargo sector. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved—from our team members to suppliers and especially DHL Express—for their unwavering support throughout this transition.”

DHL express’s Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific Peter Bardens added: “Meeting customer demands while optimizing operations is always at our forefront. Our proactive decision years ago to modernize our fleet reflects our commitment to being prepared for future challenges.”

“The A300-600F was vital for building our strong aviation network over many years. As we say goodbye to it today, we eagerly anticipate what lies ahead with these next-gen freighters—confident that they will help us achieve excellence in service delivery and sustainability.”

The journey towards modernizing their fleet began seven years ago when they introduced their first wet-leased A330F back in February 2018.

The newer model offers about 25% more payload capacity compared to its predecessor—the A300-600F—allowing greater volume transport especially beneficial for e-commerce shipments. Additionally, it boasts an impressive range capability reaching up to 7,400 kilometers wich facilitates expansion into fresh markets like Bahrain and Sydney while also aligning with sustainability goals through improved fuel efficiency and reduced noise emissions.

This development aligns perfectly with ongoing enhancements at Hong Kong International Airport’s Three-Runway System project; Cathay Group is investing over HK$100 billion aimed at bolstering HK’s status as an international aviation hub while enhancing customer experiences across various airlines including Cathay Pacific and HK Express by introducing more than 100 state-of-the-art aircraft across different categories including narrowbody jets and large freighters.