by Starting next year, the Honolulu-based airline will use the Airbus A330-300P2F freighter, which is a converted passenger jet, to fly cargo on behalf of Amazon Air.
Rendering of Amazon’s A330-300P2F.
Airbus
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
In return for providing support and staff to the operation, 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 complement the airline’s current cargo division that carries cargo on passenger planes, dating back to 1942 when Hawaiian became the first commercial airline to carry US cargo.
The venture also complements the carrier’s current fleet of A330 passenger aircraft.
Thiago B Trevisan/Shutterstock
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
According to Forbes, the partnership was likely a no-brainer for Hawaiian as the carrier struggled from heavy losses during the pandemic and has had a slower recovery.
Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330
EndeavorMoorePhotography/Shutterstock
Source: Forbes
“This relationship provides a catalyst to grow our business and the unique opportunity to diversify our sources of revenue while leveraging our established strengths,” Hawaii President and CEO Peter Ingram said in a press release.
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram.
Hawaiian Airlines
Source: Hawaiian Airlines
To prepare for the new Amazon service, Hawaiian said it will hire more pilots, mechanics, dispatchers and other support staff. Furthermore, 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 A330-300 widebody jet has advanced technology that makes it a “capable” conversion option.
Titan Airways A330-300P2F cockpit.
Titan Airways
The program is particularly beneficial following the pandemic widebody demand, leaving a large surplus of passenger A330s available for conversion.
One of Lufthansa’s A330s (pictured) was converted during the pandemic to carry medical equipment. The work was carried out by Lufthansa Technik, not EWF, as a special allowance when the need for masks and other covid-related goods was in demand.
Lufthansa Technik
Source: Airbus
In addition to the A330P2F freighters, Airbus also partnered with Lufthansa Technik, the Lufthansa Group’s maintenance and overhaul arm, during the pandemic to certify a reversible “temporary cargo cabin” kit for A330 passenger aircraft.
Airbus and Lufthansa Technik’s “temporary cargo cabin”.
Lufthansa Technik
Source: Lufthansa Technik
