New-look Air Hong Kong touches down in Dubai

Not only was Dubai chosen as the first port of call for this new aircraft on its delivery flight to Hong Kong to Toulouse, but also the aircraft is the first in Air Hong Kong's striking new yellow and white livery.

In addition, Air Hong Kong is the launch customer of the latest Airbus A300-600GF General Freighter, with a bigger aft cargo door, making this aircraft the first of its type in the world. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, Air Hong Kong's A300-600GF differs from the A300-600F aircraft currently being built for other carriers. Its unique features include a cargo loading system capable of handling almost every type of container and pallet, and a side door at the rear of the lower deck capable of handling large items of general freight.

Air Hong Kong is a 60-40 venture between Cathay Pacific Airways and DHL Express, and is the only all-cargo airline that is based in Hong Kong. The A300-600F General Freighter is the first delivery of Air Hong Kong's new fleet of wide body freighter aircraft to operate DHL's network to the major cities in the Asia Pacific region from Hong Kong.

"It is fitting that Dubai was chosen for this delivery flight given the status of Dubai and Hong Kong as the premier cargo hubs of the Middle East and Asia. Air Hong Kong is well known to the cargo community here in Dubai, having had services between here and Hong Kong, Brussels and Manchester, and so it is great to see Air Hong Kong return to Dubai," said Philip Herbert, Cathay Pacific's Country Manager UAE and Oman. "The introduction of Air Hong Kong's A300-600GF fleet is a further boost to Hong Kong's strength as the logistics and air cargo hub for Asia, and to the business partnerships between Cathay Pacific and DHL."

"It's been a joy to see the first A300-600F Air Hong Kong freighter touch down in Dubai," said David Wild, DHL Country Manager for the UAE. "With our own Middle East air network expanding from 7 dedicated aircraft in 2002 to over 17 aircraft in 2004, it's great to see DHL Asia Pacific investing in aircraft and expanding as we are in the Middle East."

The Air Hong Kong delivery flight was flown on the Toulouse-Dubai leg by Air Hong Kong's Chief Pilot, Captain Gui Wee Kee and then onward to Hong Kong by Director Flight Operations, Captain Graeme Ogilvie. Captain Ogilvie remarked that "The delivery of this new aircraft is an important first for both Air Hong Kong and DHL. It also emphasises the strength of Hong Kong and the other Asia markets for air cargo, and for express cargo in particular. And for me, it has been excellent to be back in Dubai, having been flying here since the 1980s from my days with Cathay Pacific - the sheer energy and growth in Dubai here never fails to surprise me".

Originally founded in 1986, Air Hong Kong began charter services in 1988 with a B707 Freighter, but really came in to its own after June 1994, when Cathay Pacific bought a 75% share in the company. With the backing of Cathay Pacific, Air Hong Kong position in the market was greatly strengthened, in no small part thanks to access to Cathay Pacific's sophisticated electronic communication systems.

In February 2002, Cathay Pacific acquired the outstanding 25% stake, making Air Hong Kong a wholly own subsidiary. A restructuring of operations at the airlines' hub in Hong Kong, gave Air Hong Kong a focus on serving the Asia region. Later that year, in October 2002, Cathay Pacific and DHL Express (DHL) announced a new joint venture whereby DHL acquired a 30% stake in Air Hong Kong and later, in March 2003, an additional 10% stake.

Under the terms of the venture between Cathay Pacific Airways and DHL Express, Air Hong Kong was set to purchase a fleet of wide body freighter aircraft to operate DHL's network to the major cities in the Asia Pacific region from Hong Kong. An initial investment of about US$300 was committed to the venture before 2004 and a further US$100 million by 2010, with Air Hong Kong signing a purchase agreement for six new Airbus A300-600GF aircraft.

Air Hong Kong's new aircraft will be delivered between September-November 2004 and January-March 2005 and will serve routes between Hong Kong and Bangkok, Penang, Kansai, Narita, Taipei, Inchon and Singapore, according to Mr. Herbert. The first new aircraft entered service on 12th September, operating from Hong Kong to Bangkok and Penang.

Currently Air Hong Kong operates a fleet of leased freighters comprising one Boeing 747-200, one Airbus A300-600, two Airbus A300B4 and one Boeing B727. The route network includes Bangkok/Penang, Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul and Singapore. As each new freighter enters service, it will replace one of the leased aircraft, which will be returned to the lessors.