DRAGONAIR TAKES DELIVERY OF LEASED PASSENGER AIRCRAFT

Dragonair has taken delivery of an Airbus A320 it had leased to Taipei-based TransAsia Airways, raising the number of passenger aircraft in its fleet to 15. The A320, which was leased out in June 1999, has been returned in time to enter service during Dragonair’s expanded summer flight schedule.

“The return of this A320 keeps us on track to double our fleet by the end of 2005, and in the more immediate term allows us to provide some of the additional frequencies that are being included in our summer timetable,” said James Yeung, Dragonair’s General Manager Commercial.

Dragonair will take delivery of two new passenger aircraft – both Airbus A330s – in May and June this year.

“With the return of the A320 we still have one of the youngest fleets anywhere, with an average age of 2.9 years,” James Yeung added.

“And our fleet expansion programme demonstrates we are committed to providing the best possible facilities and highest standards for our passengers.”

Dragonair is a Hong Kong-based airline, operating a fleet of five A330-300s, three A321s and seven A320s (including returned aircraft) in addition to a Boeing 747-200 freighter. It is in the process of doubling its fleet by the end of 2005. The airline’s passenger network covers 27 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, while its cargo network connects the markets of Europe, the Middle East and China.