04 Jul 2025
#1 July 2025: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
Air Hong Kong Transitions to Airbus A330F Fleet
Air Hong Kong (AHK) has marked a major milestone by completing its seven-year re-fleeting programme, transitioning to an all-Airbus A330 freighter fleet. With the arrival of its final newer A330F and the retirement of the last A300-600F, the airline now operates 14 A330F aircraft in total. The fleet includes 10 A330-300P2F (passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft), of which AHK was one of the launch customers and is currently among the world’s largest operators, and four A330-200F freighters.
Air Hong Kong Chief Operating Officer Clarence Tai stated:
“The A300-600F has been a stalwart of Air Hong Kong’s fleet and an important part of our story for over two decades. Its contribution to not only our business, but to the Hong Kong international aviation hub as a whole, has been considerable, and we fondly bid farewell to this valued member of our fleet as we enter this exciting new chapter. The new-generation A330F brings with it considerable benefits that will enable us to further enhance our operations and services for our customers, and continue to play an important role in the ongoing growth of Hong Kong’s air cargo sector. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, the Cathay Group, our people, our suppliers, and our key customer, DHL Express, for their firm support, which has made this re-fleeting plan possible.”
CDB Aviation Delivers Three A320neo Aircraft to Volaris
CDB Aviation announced the successful delivery of three Airbus A320neo aircraft to Volaris. The transaction underscores the strong relationship between the lessor and the Mexican low-cost carrier.
Jie Chen, CDB Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We appreciate the strong partnership and collaboration with the Volaris team that resulted in the expedited transition process involved in the execution of these three aircraft transactions. We will continue to work with quality airline customers like Volaris to provide them with customized fleet lease solutions that enable their businesses to compete and grow successfully in today’s dynamic market environment.”
China Southern Celebrates 10 Years of Connecting South Island and China With More Flights
China Southern Airlines announced that its popular Guangzhou–Christchurch service will resume on 1 November 2025, starting with five weekly flights before increasing to daily services from 18 December through 3 March 2026, aligning with the peak summer season and Lunar New Year celebrations. The carrier will offer over 60,000 seats across business, premium economy, and economy cabins on the route. China remains New Zealand’s third-largest tourism market, with nearly 170,000 Chinese holidaymakers visiting last year.
Christchurch Airport’s GM Aeronautical Development Gordon Bevan said:
“Every flight carries more than just passengers. The belly of the aircraft delivers huge value for South Island businesses getting their premium goods to global markets.”
Acumen’s Take
On Air Hong Kong’s All-A330F Fleet Transition:
This milestone highlights the strategic pivot by Asia’s key express freighter operators toward higher-capacity, more fuel-efficient widebodies. The A330-300P2F, in particular, is emerging as a cornerstone asset in regional express networks, driven by its payload flexibility and strong residual support.
On CDB Aviation’s Volaris Deliveries:
These placements reflect CDB’s proven execution in transitioning aircraft into high-growth markets. The deal further consolidates the A320neo’s dominance among Latin American LCCs seeking fleet modernisation while controlling unit costs.
On China Southern’s Christchurch Service:
The resumption and planned ramp-up signal strong confidence in premium outbound tourism flows and belly cargo demand from New Zealand. This also underscores Guangzhou’s growing role as a gateway hub linking Australasia to broader China.
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