A couple of weeks ago, Portuguese aircraft leasing company Hi Fly announced that they'd be acquiring two A380s in the coming months, which they'll be flying by Spring 2018. There has been very little activity when it comes to the A380 lately, which is why this announcement was so exciting. The only remaining new A380…
Continue reading: More Details On Hi Fly’s Upcoming A380 Acquisition
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I have no idea wht airline it will be, but I am prepared to bet that it will not be a carrier in North America, Oceania or Africa.Also, a correction: Virgin Atlantic has ordered six A380s, all of which are yet to be delivered.
So, basically the same as what Malaysia Airlines is doing with their 6 A380s then?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2017/03/24/malaysia-airlines-boss-believes-airlines-missed-point-a380-superjumbo/
Looking at Hi-Fly's performance at delivering service on an A340 for Finnair last year, it would have to be an airline which does not have much to lose image-wise. Leaving Air Koryo out for many reasons, I could see PIA, TAP on Brazilian routes (lots of traffic), Royal Air Maroc or Biman for pilgrim flights, or, as per the seating you indicate, a major Low Cost pulling a surprise deal in capacity/traffic rights, thus attracting attention: The kind of thing Mike O'Leary just loves.
I have to believe that there is a market for 600-seat planes between major hubs that are slot-constrained like London, NYC, Hong Kong etc
My dad is the CEO. He said Air Koryo is the likely client for year-round service on their Peking to Pyongyang route.
In a wet lease arrangement, will they typically do end up painting the planes in the livery of lessee airline?
@lucky
Unrelated, but GA just announced they're moving CGK-SIN-LHR to non-stop in both directions, with the following schedule:
GA086 CGK1205 – 2000LHR 777 246
GA087 LHR2155 – 1855+1CGK 777 246
Compared to previous schedule of:
GA086 CGK0745 – 1035SIN1200 – 1755LHR 777 26
GA087 LHR2010 – 1730+1CGK 777 26
Why not fly these old birds from DEL or BOM to DXB? There are a shitload of Indians who from all over India to Dubai. If say Indigo (6E) were to codeshare, they can shuttle Indian folks from all across the country to DEL anD BOM allowing for a full capacity load to DXB.
For the new Garuda flights, what do the 246 and 26 refer to? I've seen them on the routesonline website and did not know what they refer to.
@Roger, they are which days of the week the flights operate. 2 refers to Monday, 4 to Wed etc.
Funny that you talk about that. HiFly and Saudia got into a "fight" a couple of years ago because HiFly was leasing a couple of planes to them, in Saudia livery, and one of the planes was spotted in Israel while on a maintenance stop. Saudia terminated the lease immediately. So yes, when it's a long term lease, they may use the lessee livery.
@Ben, nearly. The 246 does indeed relate to the days of the week they are operating - but 1 is always Monday, so 246 = Tues/Thurs/Sat in each direction.
Looks like it's from 31 October that SIN is being dropped on the return from CGK.
Not sure why you think Hi-Fly will operate solely on a wet lease basis. Damp lease seems the best for the airline that takes on the aircraft for a year especially if they end up taking the 380 full time as their own aircraft. Will mean cabin crew are already trained etc. And will keep the product offered onboard by staff consistent.
Don't think it's for any airline. Just pilgrim transport to/from Saudi Arabia.