February 25, 2000 
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| February 25, 2000 | atimes.com | |
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| China HK's Dragonair set for expansion with Airbus order SINGAPORE - Hong Kong airline Dragonair has taken a major step toward expansion with the order of eight aircraft from Airbus Industrie and US$75 million worth of Rolls-Royce engines. The company said in a statement it plans to almost double its all-Airbus fleet over the next five years to take advantage of the Asia-Pacific region's rapidly improving economic climate and growth prospects. In agreements signed by Dragonair chairman Wang Gui Xiang with Airbus Industrie president Noel Forgeard and Rolls Royce senior vice-president for airlines in North Asia Mark King, the company purchased five A320s and three widebodied A330s, and Trent 700 engines to power the three A330s. The airline will also lease one A321 and one Trent-powered A330 from International Lease Finance Corporation, Dragonair said. The move will help consolidate the position of the Hong Kong International Airport at a time when a new air-service arrangement with China and its imminent entry into the WTO are expected to cause a surge in transport demand, said Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui. "For these reasons we are also planning to enter the all-cargo freighter market to meet expected rises in demand," he added. Dragonair is based in Hong Kong, servicing 25 Asia-Pacific destinations with a fleet of 13 Airbus planes. (Asia Pulse) | |||||||||
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