Airbus has inaugurated its A330 Completion and Delivery Centre (C&DC) in Tianjin, China, in the expansion of its global footprint and strategic partnership with China. The first A330 to be delivered from the C&DC was also handled over to Tianjin Airlines. The aircraft which was assembled and equipped in Toulouse with Chinese and European staff is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and is configured in two classes with 260 seats. Located at the same site as the Airbus … [Read more...] about Airbus inaugurates A330 Completion & Delivery Centre in China
Tianjin Airlines
Tianjin Airlines takes delivery of first widebody, begins int’l expansion
Tianjin Airlines announced last week the arrival of its first widebody aircraft, an A330-200, bringing the carrier's fleet to 89 aircraft. The aircraft underwent two days of demonstration flight before commencing commercial operations on 9 May, serving Tianjin-Kunming and Tianjin-Chengdu routes. From 6 June the aircraft will operate intercontinental services to Moscow and London, making Tianjin Airlines the fourth Chinese carrier flying to London, following Air China, China Southern Airlines … [Read more...] about Tianjin Airlines takes delivery of first widebody, begins int’l expansion
HNA Group in talks to acquire Swissport
HNA Group Co., owner of China’s fourth-largest airline, is said to be in talks to acquire ground handler Swissport International Ltd., according to a Bloomberg report quoting unnamed sources. The report said Swissport’s private-equity owner PAI Partners SAS is seeking about US$3 billion from a sale, but negotiations have dragged on for several months, held up by disagreement over the price, according to the sources. Swissport provides ground services for around 229 million passengers and … [Read more...] about HNA Group in talks to acquire Swissport
Grand China Express becomes Tianjin Airlines
Hainan Airlines Group has announced plans to relaunch its Grand China Express Airlines subsidiary as Tianjin Airlines from early June. Grand China had been operating 10 E-190s, 12 ERJ-145s and 29 Do 328-300s on more than 80 domestic routes. The Tianjin government agreed, in December, to inject CNY200 million (US$29.3 million) into Grand China, giving it a 15.4 per cent stake in the new carrier, with Hainan holding 83.4 per cent and its subsidiary, Hainan Airlines holding the remainder. By 2012 … [Read more...] about Grand China Express becomes Tianjin Airlines
