Hong Kong Airlines: Return Of The Jedi
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Hong Kong Airlines: Return Of The Jedi
Hong Kong Airlines signs MOU for 15 A350s and 10 more A330s
Carrier becomes latest customer for all-new A350 XWB
Farnborough, 20 July 2010
Hong Kong Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus to acquire 15 A350 XWBs and 10 more A330-200s. Under the terms of the agreement, the airline is converting 15 existing A330 orders to A350 XWBs and placing an additional order for 10 A330-200s. The MOU was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow today.
Deliveries of the additional A330-200s will begin in 2012, with the first A350 XWB arriving in 2018. The aircraft will be operated across a long haul network currently being developed by the airline to link Hong Kong with a wide range of destinations in Europe and North America.
"Our latest commitment underscores our ambition to develop an extensive long haul network offering world class service," said Yang Jian Hong, President, Hong Kong Airlines. "The super-efficient A330-200 is the perfect platform for us to develop these services, while the A350 XWB will become our new flagship towards the end of this decade."
"We are extremely pleased that Hong Kong Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to Airbus aircraft for its future long haul fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "With the A330 and the A350 XWB, the carrier will be operating the cleanest, most efficient aircraft available in the mid-size widebody market now and in the future."
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines operates a full service Asian network to which it recently added its first long haul service to Europe. Upon confirmation of today's MOU, the carrier's widebody orders with Airbus will comprise 15 A350 XWBs and 18 A330s. The carrier also has 30 single aisle A320 aircraft on firm order for future delivery.
The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,000 orders for the various versions of the aircraft. More than 700 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with over 80 airlines worldwide.
The A350 XWB Family is an all-new product line seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. Scheduled for first entry-into-service in 2013, it is already one of most successful aircraft programmes ever, with over 530 firm orders already received from 34 customers worldwide.
"salted fish coming back alive.."
Carrier becomes latest customer for all-new A350 XWB
Farnborough, 20 July 2010
Hong Kong Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus to acquire 15 A350 XWBs and 10 more A330-200s. Under the terms of the agreement, the airline is converting 15 existing A330 orders to A350 XWBs and placing an additional order for 10 A330-200s. The MOU was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow today.
Deliveries of the additional A330-200s will begin in 2012, with the first A350 XWB arriving in 2018. The aircraft will be operated across a long haul network currently being developed by the airline to link Hong Kong with a wide range of destinations in Europe and North America.
"Our latest commitment underscores our ambition to develop an extensive long haul network offering world class service," said Yang Jian Hong, President, Hong Kong Airlines. "The super-efficient A330-200 is the perfect platform for us to develop these services, while the A350 XWB will become our new flagship towards the end of this decade."
"We are extremely pleased that Hong Kong Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to Airbus aircraft for its future long haul fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "With the A330 and the A350 XWB, the carrier will be operating the cleanest, most efficient aircraft available in the mid-size widebody market now and in the future."
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines operates a full service Asian network to which it recently added its first long haul service to Europe. Upon confirmation of today's MOU, the carrier's widebody orders with Airbus will comprise 15 A350 XWBs and 18 A330s. The carrier also has 30 single aisle A320 aircraft on firm order for future delivery.
The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,000 orders for the various versions of the aircraft. More than 700 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with over 80 airlines worldwide.
The A350 XWB Family is an all-new product line seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. Scheduled for first entry-into-service in 2013, it is already one of most successful aircraft programmes ever, with over 530 firm orders already received from 34 customers worldwide.
"salted fish coming back alive.."
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No matter what said and done, HKA expanding and is still providing opportunities for pilots who need a job be it with or without jet time or like those from PAL ( shafted by their national carrier). 
That probably includes those who may not have made it at CX/KA or elsewhere.
That probably includes those who may not have made it at CX/KA or elsewhere.
...and those who have made it into CX but who are frustrated at the lack of progression towards Command.
This might get interesting.
This might get interesting.
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YES clear.right, perhaps leaving CX/KA might just be a VERY good idea. Don't be foolish enough to mistake Oasis and HKA/Hainan group as being one in the same.
Admittedly the current HKA mismanagement will need to change dramatically to ensure the long-term survival of the airline however they have MUCH deeper pockets than Oasis ever had.
Cathay since inception have either simply bought-out new entrants (i.e. the very first Hong Kong Airways and Air Hong Kong and Dragonair) or smothered the opposition by flooding routes with extra capacity until that opposition dies (Oasis). They are trying it on already with extra Moscow services trying to kill HKA.
However HKA is a very different beast. Once they rid themselves of foolish Singaporean flt ops management and perhaps improve the package financially they will be flooded with applications from disgruntled CX and KA guys, particularly FO's or anybody wanting to go onto a base. KA is now a career deadwater; a small thorn in CX's side that will wither on the vine in time. CX have stopped KA flying to Tokyo and Bangkok and closed the entire freight operation. With that slow death of KA will go the careers of many pilots. Why not leave now and catch the wave with the likes of HKA or Emirates?
CX seem to have bogged-down since the mid 1990's. They are defensive and not offensive. They are no longer innovative and myopic when it comes to expansion. A350's/787's order? Big Deal -they are just A330 replacements. Where are the A380's. Where are the services to Honolulu, Seattle, South America, secondary Euro destinations etc. Where are the business-jet feeder services for high net worth First Class pax? Where are the limo city pick-ups and in flight bars? Why are the interiors of the aircraft so tatty and the Flight Attendants so indifferent? The check-in staff in HK are just awful, rude and a very poor public face of the company.
So unless CX does something really dramatic it too will wither and die. It needs to re-invent itself quickly. The 'security' of career at CX if that is what you wish for is perhaps a smokescreen. And what about job enjoyment, workplace happiness and the feeling of being appreciated by management? Hardly highlights any longer of a career at CX.
HKA will not go away or be subverted. It's a different game this time and CX don't get it. For pilots HKA offers DEC and very rapid command for F/O's. They also offer bases in a number of European/Australian and American cities or even HK should you wish!
They are not perfect by any means and improvements must be made but yes, leaving KA or CX may just not be such a weird idea.
Admittedly the current HKA mismanagement will need to change dramatically to ensure the long-term survival of the airline however they have MUCH deeper pockets than Oasis ever had.
Cathay since inception have either simply bought-out new entrants (i.e. the very first Hong Kong Airways and Air Hong Kong and Dragonair) or smothered the opposition by flooding routes with extra capacity until that opposition dies (Oasis). They are trying it on already with extra Moscow services trying to kill HKA.
However HKA is a very different beast. Once they rid themselves of foolish Singaporean flt ops management and perhaps improve the package financially they will be flooded with applications from disgruntled CX and KA guys, particularly FO's or anybody wanting to go onto a base. KA is now a career deadwater; a small thorn in CX's side that will wither on the vine in time. CX have stopped KA flying to Tokyo and Bangkok and closed the entire freight operation. With that slow death of KA will go the careers of many pilots. Why not leave now and catch the wave with the likes of HKA or Emirates?
CX seem to have bogged-down since the mid 1990's. They are defensive and not offensive. They are no longer innovative and myopic when it comes to expansion. A350's/787's order? Big Deal -they are just A330 replacements. Where are the A380's. Where are the services to Honolulu, Seattle, South America, secondary Euro destinations etc. Where are the business-jet feeder services for high net worth First Class pax? Where are the limo city pick-ups and in flight bars? Why are the interiors of the aircraft so tatty and the Flight Attendants so indifferent? The check-in staff in HK are just awful, rude and a very poor public face of the company.
So unless CX does something really dramatic it too will wither and die. It needs to re-invent itself quickly. The 'security' of career at CX if that is what you wish for is perhaps a smokescreen. And what about job enjoyment, workplace happiness and the feeling of being appreciated by management? Hardly highlights any longer of a career at CX.
HKA will not go away or be subverted. It's a different game this time and CX don't get it. For pilots HKA offers DEC and very rapid command for F/O's. They also offer bases in a number of European/Australian and American cities or even HK should you wish!
They are not perfect by any means and improvements must be made but yes, leaving KA or CX may just not be such a weird idea.
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because leaving CX or KA to go to HKA would be a great idea.......
Oasis anyone...
Oasis anyone...
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They are not perfect by any means and improvements must be made but yes, leaving KA or CX may just not be such a weird idea.
Happy landings!
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Le rhone, most of your post is ( unfortunately ) spot on, except :
Yes, I know people that were offered rapid commands at HKA, not many pilots consider 3-4 years to be rapid. HKA/Hainan ( read SE Asia forum ) are a pack of 
liars, and that was before singa snakes, I doubt anyone will trust them again, except maybe F/Os that are offered DEC
Bases only useful to people that can live in the aforementioned countries, and to live in Australia on HKA wages and Australian tax, well, you would be better off on unemployment benefits, at least then you would get decent medical
Yes, well its easy to have deep pockets when you have government handouts and don't pay your airport charges.
Absolute BS to my knowledge, although maybe one of the sacked KA guys has gone there. No TIRE in his right mind would leave KA for HKA, for what ? a 50% paycut, crap staff travel, crap medical, no 13th month etc etc etc oh, and no future 
For pilots HKA offers DEC and very rapid command for F/O's
liars, and that was before singa snakes, I doubt anyone will trust them again, except maybe F/Os that are offered DEC
They also offer bases in a number of European/Australian and American cities or even HK should you wish!
however they have MUCH deeper pockets than Oasis ever had
Rightfully said... Heard KA "training and checker" has already joined HKA on the A330 fleet
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Mate,
I see you are still dwelling in soreness. You'd probably wanna verify yr facts and figures before posting outdated albeit inaccurate information. 
You must be number 200 or so in the queue for a KA command? At the current rate of 4-8 a year, you're probably not even close to it at retirement. 
Who wants to be based in a ****hole like Australia? That's the reason why so many of you are here, ain't it?
BTW, you the one who timed/filmed Capts going for his "pee" break?
Absolute BS to my knowledge, although maybe one of the sacked KA guys has gone there. No TIRE in his right mind would leave KA for HKA, for what ? a 50% paycut, crap staff travel, crap medical, no 13th month etc etc etc oh, and no future
not many pilots consider 3-4 years to be rapid
Bases only useful to people that can live in the aforementioned countries, and to live in Australia on HKA wages and Australian tax, well, you would be better off on unemployment benefits, at least then you would get decent medical
BTW, you the one who timed/filmed Capts going for his "pee" break?
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Who's comparing?
If you want a quick command these are the places where they will be eventuating. Even before they ordered 30 777's EK was after 700+ pilots in the next 18 months. And HKA with 25 A330/350 and A320's on order will need DEC's and quickly, although they will have to improve their overall package in this market with a dwindling supply of pilots if they are not going to ground aircraft.
It's almost always the pilots who get in early in a booming airline who do well.
If you are not one to take risks and prefer the feeling of 'security' stay right where you are. Just don't go around in 5 years moaning that "X has been a Captain with Y Airlines for 3 years and I am still an FO at 40 years of age with little prospect for upgrade in the next 10 years".
Some have the nouse/cohones to take the risk others are more comfortable with 'the devil they know' even if they hate that devil. Horses for courses.
If you want a quick command these are the places where they will be eventuating. Even before they ordered 30 777's EK was after 700+ pilots in the next 18 months. And HKA with 25 A330/350 and A320's on order will need DEC's and quickly, although they will have to improve their overall package in this market with a dwindling supply of pilots if they are not going to ground aircraft.
It's almost always the pilots who get in early in a booming airline who do well.
If you are not one to take risks and prefer the feeling of 'security' stay right where you are. Just don't go around in 5 years moaning that "X has been a Captain with Y Airlines for 3 years and I am still an FO at 40 years of age with little prospect for upgrade in the next 10 years".
Some have the nouse/cohones to take the risk others are more comfortable with 'the devil they know' even if they hate that devil. Horses for courses.
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Slim, you really are full of 5hit.
A KA F/O on the house purchase scheme earns considerably more than a HKA/HKE Captain, unless the Captains I know at these 2 airlines are underquoting their pay. Therefore a KA TIRE would be on close to twice as much as a HKA/HKE Captain.
Australia must be a 5hithole, why else would so many from this part of the world be trying to get there ? Thats right, because they have turned this place into a polluted sh!thole and now want to do it to our country. You should be very proud of this laughing stock of a place, driven by money and little else. If it was'nt for the big wages ( sorry if you are missing out on those ) this place would be a ghost town.
Less than a 100 to a command, tool.
And no, I am not the one who timed the Captain taking a 40 min break in the fwd galley chatting up CC.
A KA F/O on the house purchase scheme earns considerably more than a HKA/HKE Captain, unless the Captains I know at these 2 airlines are underquoting their pay. Therefore a KA TIRE would be on close to twice as much as a HKA/HKE Captain.
Australia must be a 5hithole, why else would so many from this part of the world be trying to get there ? Thats right, because they have turned this place into a polluted sh!thole and now want to do it to our country. You should be very proud of this laughing stock of a place, driven by money and little else. If it was'nt for the big wages ( sorry if you are missing out on those ) this place would be a ghost town.
Less than a 100 to a command, tool.
And no, I am not the one who timed the Captain taking a 40 min break in the fwd galley chatting up CC.
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hahahaha...
So now we all know that if you're a Capt taking a pee break in KA, you risk being filmed and timed by your fooking First Officer? That's bloody anal.. Good luck to you guys and thank you for flying Dr@gonair...!
So now we all know that if you're a Capt taking a pee break in KA, you risk being filmed and timed by your fooking First Officer? That's bloody anal.. Good luck to you guys and thank you for flying Dr@gonair...!
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Rhone,
Interesting posts.
You sound optimistic for HKA which suggests to me that you haven't been there very long or you're management?
CX:
Your problem with CX seems to be their poor service and lack of ambition. IMHO CX has a bright future; it is well run compared to it's Chinese competition, Air China has a vested interest and the region's market will continue to expand. To suggest that CX will "wither and die" and job security is a "smokescreen" is a bit far fetched isn't it?
DK:
It makes no sense for CX to cause the "slow death of DK". DK will be recruiting soon and there is a lot of talk of pilots from HKA/HKE applying. Many have gone before and why wouldn't they? DK FO's earn more than HKA/HKE Capts. But, as you say, "what about job enjoyment, workplace happiness and the feeling of being appreciated by management?". Do you really think this is better at HKA? Have you not spoken to any of the HKA pilots who have been lied to (especially over quick command upgrades, which you keep mentioning) got fired or resigned in the last few years?
HKA:
As you say yourself;
"Admittedly the current HKA mismanagement will need to change dramatically to ensure the long-term survival of the airline".
It will survive thanks to Hainan money but the mismangment will continue and that is what makes working there so bad.
"they will have to improve their overall package in this market with a dwindling supply of pilots if they are not going to ground aircraft".
They have already cancelled flights and it is the pax and the crew who are suffering as a result.
"Once they rid themselves of foolish Singaporean flt ops management and perhaps improve the package financially they will be flooded with applications from disgruntled CX and KA guys".
So far: No sign of the Singas going. A few SO CX guys came but most via Oasis so they had little choice! I don't know of any from DK. The only reason to come would be the hope of an earlier command or other promotion with a plan to move on to a proper functioning airline after a couple of years (paying off the big bond?). Certainly not for the money, the T&Cs (which have been constantly changed at the management's whim) the training standards, the horrible overnight hotels, the lack of organisation, the lack of communication, the........
Interesting posts.
You sound optimistic for HKA which suggests to me that you haven't been there very long or you're management?
CX:
Your problem with CX seems to be their poor service and lack of ambition. IMHO CX has a bright future; it is well run compared to it's Chinese competition, Air China has a vested interest and the region's market will continue to expand. To suggest that CX will "wither and die" and job security is a "smokescreen" is a bit far fetched isn't it?
DK:
It makes no sense for CX to cause the "slow death of DK". DK will be recruiting soon and there is a lot of talk of pilots from HKA/HKE applying. Many have gone before and why wouldn't they? DK FO's earn more than HKA/HKE Capts. But, as you say, "what about job enjoyment, workplace happiness and the feeling of being appreciated by management?". Do you really think this is better at HKA? Have you not spoken to any of the HKA pilots who have been lied to (especially over quick command upgrades, which you keep mentioning) got fired or resigned in the last few years?
HKA:
As you say yourself;
"Admittedly the current HKA mismanagement will need to change dramatically to ensure the long-term survival of the airline".
It will survive thanks to Hainan money but the mismangment will continue and that is what makes working there so bad.
"they will have to improve their overall package in this market with a dwindling supply of pilots if they are not going to ground aircraft".
They have already cancelled flights and it is the pax and the crew who are suffering as a result.
"Once they rid themselves of foolish Singaporean flt ops management and perhaps improve the package financially they will be flooded with applications from disgruntled CX and KA guys".
So far: No sign of the Singas going. A few SO CX guys came but most via Oasis so they had little choice! I don't know of any from DK. The only reason to come would be the hope of an earlier command or other promotion with a plan to move on to a proper functioning airline after a couple of years (paying off the big bond?). Certainly not for the money, the T&Cs (which have been constantly changed at the management's whim) the training standards, the horrible overnight hotels, the lack of organisation, the lack of communication, the........