Hawaiian going Airbus, phasing out 767 for A350

Hawaiian Signs With Airbus, Rolls-Royce as Part of Long-Range Fleet Plan
Wednesday November 28, 5:39 pm ET

HONOLULU, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hawaiian Airlines today announced agreements with Airbus and engine maker Rolls-Royce to acquire up to 24 new long-range wide-body aircraft as the first step in a phased fleet plan that will replace its current wide-body fleet of 18 aircraft, expand its long-range fleet, and enable it to open new routes to more distant markets on a nonstop basis from Hawaii.
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Hawaiian has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to acquire six wide-body A330-200 aircraft and six A350XWB (Extra Wide Body)-800 aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional six A330-200s and six A350XWB-800s. The agreements have a total list-price value of approximately $4.4 billion if all of the purchase rights are exercised.

In addition, Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO, said the agreements with Airbus and Rolls-Royce pave the way for the company to lease additional A330 aircraft for introduction into its fleet as early as 2009, providing for growth and replacement of aircraft with leases expiring during this timeframe.

Dunkerley commented, "These agreements with Airbus and Rolls-Royce are important steps in a long-range fleet plan that provides not only for fleet renewal, but also for growth in our business. We are building flexibility into the plan with some aircraft purchased, some to be leased and having options for others, which will allow us to scale the fleet according to our needs and opportunities over the next two decades.

"The Rolls-Royce powered A350XWB represents the next generation of super efficient aircraft, and the A330 is a state-of-the-art aircraft that is slightly larger, more fuel efficient and can fly farther than our current fleet. We'll be able to open new markets with both aircraft and contribute even more to the economy of our home state. Our business, our employees and Hawaii will benefit."

Dunkerley added that the fleet transactions represent the largest single investment in Hawaiian's 78-year history and a clear statement of the company's deep commitment to its home market. "We are investing in the future of both Hawaiian and Hawaii by bringing in additional aircraft. These are not just additional seats to Hawaii, they are seats that are dedicated to Hawaii year in and year out that will further diversify and extend the reach of the state's tourism interests and provide more local jobs."

John Leahy, Airbus' Chief Operating Officer-Customers, said, "Hawaiian has earned a reputation as the leading carrier to Hawaii for quality and value. This modern and efficient Airbus fleet will set a new standard for extraordinary travel comfort to Hawaii for years to come."

Jim Guyette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce North America, said, "We're looking forward to expanding our relationship with Hawaiian Airlines, and to playing a central role in these exciting and ambitious plans. The Trent engines they have selected will deliver the world-beating levels of operational efficiency and environmental performance which are at the heart of Hawaiian's vision."

The first A350XWB-800 will join Hawaiian's fleet in 2017. The wide-body jet will seat 322 passengers in a two-class configuration (First and Coach) and have a range of 69,000 nautical miles, which will give Hawaiian the capability to fly nonstop between Hawaii and Asia, Australasia, the Americas and Europe. The A350 carries 24 percent more passengers and is 20 percent more fuel efficient per seat mile than Hawaiian's current fleet.

Airbus will deliver the first new A330-200 to Hawaiian in 2012. The wide- body twin-engine, twin-aisle A330-200 will seat 305 passengers in a two-class configuration. With an operating range of 5,500 nautical miles, the A330 can fly significantly farther than Hawaiian's current fleet and will provide the ability to serve all of North America and points in eastern Asia nonstop from Hawaii. In addition, the A330 carries 45 more passengers and is more fuel efficient than Hawaiian's current fleet.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Hawaiian anticipates that it will sign definitive purchase agreements in early 2008, following the completion of documentation with Airbus and Rolls-Royce.

I think the Hawaiian colors would look great on the 332. Not sure about the 350 though.

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With an operating range of 5,500 nautical miles, the A330 can fly significantly farther than Hawaiian's current fleet

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how is 5,500 miles significantly longer then a 767 300ER?

I'd love to see how it can go 69,000 miles :roll:

Must be 6,900 haha

Alex

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Originally Posted by Alex T

I'd love to see how it can go 69,000 miles :roll:

Must be 6,900 haha

Alex

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All it takes is a good tailwind :borat: :mrgreen:

Well the HAL birds will look very nice on the A330 but its a bit said to see them go Airbus since they were a MacDoug and Boeing customer for so long. :cry:

The 767s are not optimal to the NYC area for them. Perhaps the 767-3 ERs would work, not sure, but appears they want more capacity as well.

Quite a few places they can go from Hawaii to the rest of the world with A330s and later, A350s.

Its certainly the plane of choice over the 767 for just about any carrier getting/needing their planes now that can't wait for the 787. Airbus will get them 2nd hand A330s in the near term.