HONOLULU, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hawaiian Airlines today
announced agreements with Airbus and engine maker Rolls-Royce to acquire up to
24 new long-range wide-body aircraft as the first step in a phased fleet plan
that will replace its current wide-body fleet of 18 aircraft, expand its
long-range fleet, and enable it to open new routes to more distant markets on
a nonstop basis from Hawaii.
Hawaiian has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Airbus and Rolls-Royce
to acquire six wide-body A330-200 aircraft and six A350XWB
(Extra Wide Body)-800 aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional six
A330-200s and six A350XWB-800s. The agreements have a total list-price value
of approximately $4.4 billion if all of the purchase rights are exercised.
In addition, Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's president and CEO, said the
agreements with Airbus and Rolls-Royce pave the way for the company to lease
additional A330 aircraft for introduction into its fleet as early as 2009,
providing for growth and replacement of aircraft with leases expiring during
this timeframe.
Dunkerley commented, "These agreements with Airbus and Rolls-Royce are
important steps in a long-range fleet plan that provides not only for fleet
renewal, but also for growth in our business. We are building flexibility into
the plan with some aircraft purchased, some to be leased and having options
for others, which will allow us to scale the fleet according to our needs and
opportunities over the next two decades.
"The Rolls-Royce powered A350XWB represents the next generation of super
efficient aircraft, and the A330 is a state-of-the-art aircraft that is
slightly larger, more fuel efficient and can fly farther than our current
fleet. We'll be able to open new markets with both aircraft and contribute
even more to the economy of our home state. Our business, our employees and
Hawaii will benefit."
Dunkerley added that the fleet transactions represent the largest single
investment in Hawaiian's 78-year history and a clear statement of the
company's deep commitment to its home market. "We are investing in the future
of both Hawaiian and Hawaii by bringing in additional aircraft. These are not
just additional seats to Hawaii, they are seats that are dedicated to Hawaii
year in and year out that will further diversify and extend the reach of the
state's tourism interests and provide more local jobs."
John Leahy, Airbus' Chief Operating Officer-Customers, said, "Hawaiian has
earned a reputation as the leading carrier to Hawaii for quality and value.
This modern and efficient Airbus fleet will set a new standard for
extraordinary travel comfort to Hawaii for years to come."
Jim Guyette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce North
America, said, "We're looking forward to expanding our relationship with
Hawaiian Airlines, and to playing a central role in these exciting and
ambitious plans. The Trent engines they have selected will deliver the
world-beating levels of operational efficiency and environmental performance
which are at the heart of Hawaiian's vision."
The first A350XWB-800 will join Hawaiian's fleet in 2017. The wide-body
jet will seat 322 passengers in a two-class configuration (First and Coach)
and have a range of 6,900 nautical miles, which will give Hawaiian the
capability to fly nonstop between Hawaii and Asia, Australasia, the Americas
and Europe. The A350 carries 24 percent more passengers and is 20 percent more
fuel efficient per seat mile than Hawaiian's current fleet.
Airbus will deliver the first new A330-200 to Hawaiian in 2012. The wide-
body twin-engine, twin-aisle A330-200 will seat 305 passengers in a two-class
configuration. With an operating range of 5,500 nautical miles, the A330 can
fly significantly farther than Hawaiian's current fleet and will provide the
ability to serve all of North America and points in eastern Asia nonstop from
Hawaii. In addition, the A330 carries 45 more passengers and is more fuel
efficient than Hawaiian's current fleet.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Hawaiian anticipates that it
will sign definitive purchase agreements in early 2008, following the
completion of documentation with Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
About Hawaiian Airlines
The nation's top-ranked airline for service in the 2007 Airline Quality
Ratings, Hawaiian also led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for 2004,
2005 and 2006 (including a record 36 consecutive months from November 2003 to
October 2006,) and in fewest misplaced bags for 2005 and 2006, as reported by
the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Conde Nast
Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian as the top
domestic airline serving Hawaii.
Now in its 79th year of continuous service in Hawaii, Hawaiian is the
state's biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the second largest
provider of passenger air service between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii.
Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities than
any other airline (nine), as well as service to Australia, American Samoa and
Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the
Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
(Amex: HA). Additional information is available at
http://HawaiianAirlines.com.
About Airbus
Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and
comprehensive aircraft product line on the market. Each new Airbus order means
new business for American companies. In 2006 alone, Airbus spent $10.2 billion
with suppliers in more than 40 U.S. states supporting more than 190,000
American jobs. Airbus is an EADS company.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which are
based upon current expectations and estimates and involve material risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, the ability to continue
operating profitably. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking
statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results may
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The
Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking
statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any
projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.
SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines
CONTACT: Keoni Wagner of Hawaiian Airlines, +1-808-838-6778,
Keoni.Wagner@HawaiianAir.com