by Starting next year, the Honolulu-based airline will use the Airbus A330-300P2F Freighter, a converted passenger jet, to fly cargo on behalf of Amazon Air.
Rendering of Amazon’s A330-300P2F.
airbus
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
In exchange for providing the support and staff to operate, Amazon can take up to a 15% stake in the airline, which would represent an investment of $110 million.
Amazon/Jordan Stead
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
The new jets will join the airline’s current cargo division, which carries cargo on passenger flights dating back to 1942, when Hawaiian was the first commercial airline to carry scheduled U.S. cargo.
The company also complements the airline’s current fleet of A330 passenger jets.
Thiago B. Trevisan/Shutterstock
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
According to Forbes, the partnership was likely a no-brainer for Hawaiian as the airline struggled with big losses during the pandemic and was slower to recover.
Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330
Endeavor Moore Photography/Shutterstock
Source: Forbes
“This relationship provides a catalyst for the growth of our business and a unique opportunity to diversify our revenue streams while capitalizing on our established strengths,” Hawaiian President and CEO Peter Ingram said in a press release.
Peter Ingram, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
To prepare for the new Amazon service, Hawaiian said it will hire more pilots, mechanics, dispatchers and other support personnel. In addition, it plans to expand its existing maintenance bases on the US mainland and open a new pilot base.
Hawaiian Airlines A330 Simulator.
Hawaiian Airlines
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
According to Airbus, the widebody A330-300 has advanced technology that makes it a “capable” conversion option.
Titan Airways’ A330-300P2F cockpit.
TitanAirways
The program is particularly favorable after the pandemic has boosted demand for widebody aircraft, leaving a large surplus of passenger A330s available for conversion.
One of Lufthansa’s A330s (pictured) has been converted to carry medical supplies during the pandemic. The work was carried out by Lufthansa Technik and not EWF as a special allowance due to the high demand for masks and other COVID-related goods.
Lufthansa Technik
Source: airbus
In addition to the A330P2F freighters, Airbus has also worked with Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance and overhaul arm of the Lufthansa Group, during the pandemic to certify a reversible “temporary cargo cabin” kit for A330 passenger aircraft.
The “temporary cargo cabin” from Airbus and Lufthansa Technik.
Lufthansa Technik
Source: Lufthansa Technik
