SPECIAL LIVERY - Shenzhen Airlines / Airbus A330-343 / B-8865 - "Once Here Shenzhener Forever"

Photo: lnyln

SPECIAL LIVERY - First A330 change to Trinity Airlines: Airbus A330-343 -HL8501

Photo: Mixz
Shenyang-Taoxian - ZYTX, China

AIRLINE NEWS - Lufthansa Group: “shark skin” to be certified for the Airbus A330

Lufthansa Technik in final certification phase for AeroSHARK on an Airbus aircraft for the first time

Discover Airlines provides A330-300 for testing

Targeted certification will enable AeroSHARK on A330-200 and -300 models

Strategic partnership with Mastercard in the area of sustainability

The AeroSHARK “shark skin” is coming to Airbus aircraft: An A330 from Discover Airlines will be the first Airbus aircraft worldwide to be equipped with the innovative technology. Initially for flight testing—Lufthansa Technik entered the final phase of supplemental type certification for its drag-reducing surface film on the Airbus A330-200 and -300 at the end of August. Before and after the modification at Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden, the long-haul jet from Discover Airlines undergoes test flights over several weeks.

AeroSHARK is supported by Mastercard in the current project phase. As part of a strategic partnership between Mastercard and the Lufthansa Group, both companies are jointly driving innovations intended to contribute to more efficient and more sustainable aviation.

Working together for greater efficiency in long-haul travel

Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer Lufthansa Group, says: “AeroSHARK is an excellent example of how innovations from the Lufthansa Group can make concrete contributions to greater efficiency and lower emissions. With the planned certification for the Airbus A330ceo, we are tapping into the potential of another significant portion of the global long-haul fleets. The innovation alliance between Lufthansa Technik, Discover Airlines, and Mastercard demonstrates once again how strong partners can drive progress together.”

The AeroSHARK technology, developed by Lufthansa Technik and Surventis (formerly BASF Coatings), is based on the structure of shark skin. The special surface film, modeled after nature, reduces drag during flight, thereby lowering fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. AeroSHARK is the only so-called riblet technology on the market approved for commercial aviation—currently certified for the Boeing 777F, the B777-300ER, and the B777-200ER. Following its certification for the Boeing 777, the certification process is now focused on the Airbus A330—the world’s second-most-delivered long-haul aircraft model, which will continue to shape existing fleets for many years to come.

Plans to expand to additional aircraft models and aircraft surfaces 

Every modification to an aircraft must meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance. The path to certification is correspondingly demanding: it requires technical expertise, operational resources, and robust financing. For the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for AeroSHARK on the A330-300 and -200, Lufthansa Technik is undergoing the relevant process with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. This includes extensive technical documentation, ground and flight tests, as well as final in-service validation during flight operations.

In addition to the certification currently being sought for the A330ceo, Lufthansa Technik and Surventis are also working to expand the next generation of AeroSHARK material to additional aircraft surfaces—such as wings and tail surfaces. This could double the potential savings. See the press release from July 30, 2026.

Background on AeroSHARK: inspired by sharks, developed for aviation
AeroSHARK is a functional surface film with microscopically fine grooved structures modeled after shark skin. Shark skin features fine grooves aligned in the direction of flow, known as riblets. These reduce frictional drag and improve flow characteristics in water. AeroSHARK applies this effect to aviation: The surface film features riblets only about 50 micrometers high, precisely aligned with the airflow. It is applied to an aircraft’s fuselage and engine cowlings, reducing drag during flight. The technology cuts fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions on every flight—currently by about 1 percent.

As of August 2026, the Lufthansa Group has already equipped 22 aircraft with AeroSHARK. Every day, the Lufthansa Group’s AeroSHARK fleet saves around 19 metric tonnes of kerosene and about 60 metric tonnes of CO₂. Airlines outside the Lufthansa Group are also already using the innovative film to increase the fuel efficiency of their long-haul aircraft.

 

SPECIAL LIVERY - TURKISH AIRLINES / A330-300 / TC-JOD - Malazgirt, Nexus of the World cs

Flyingphotos
 

FLEET - DRC's FlyCAA Reactivates Airbus A330-300 After 10-Month Grounding

FlyCAA is preparing to return to service an Airbus A330-300 one of its two widebody passenger aircraft following a 10- month grounding in South Africa, the airline said.

Newsaero

SPECIAL LIVERY - Malaysia Airlines / Airbus A330-323 / 9M-MTM - New Mumbai Indians Livery

Malaysia Airlines
 

FLEET - Brussels Airlines (Belgium) will not add two additional A330 aircraft to the fleet in 2027, in contrast to earlier announcements.

The long-haul fleet will for now stay as is, with 11 A330-300 aircraft. The carrier also does not plan to operate any wet-lease capacity. 

Photo: Brussels Airlines

HYBRID LIVERY - Air Zimbabwe (Plus Ultra) / Airbus A330-302 / EC-ONX - This was the first Air Zimbabwe scheduled arrival since the service was suspended in 2012.

London Gatwick - EGKK, United Kingdom
Photo: n94504 / jetphotos.

Air Zimbabwe has launched its first direct flight between Harare and London Gatwick.
This Harare-London route is being resumed after a 14-year absence.

The company confirmed the schedule with three weekly flights, departing Harare on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with return flights from Gatwick South Terminal on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Its last direct service to London, in 2012, was operated by Boeing 767 aircraft, which the airline no longer operates.

According to the contract, Plus Ultra provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while the flights operate under Air Zimbabwe's own flight code, and the airline retains control of ticket sales and customer relations.

 

SPECIAL LIVERY - AIR CHINA / A330-300 / B-6101 - Star Alliance

Ton Jochems - BRU
 

FLEET / ROUTES - Brazilian airline Gol Linhas Aéreas received its first A330-300 aircraft ahead of the start of nonstop service between Galeão International Airport (GIG) in Rio de Janeiro and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.

The Airbus A330 has arrived in Rio de Janeiro and will operate the airline's inaugural service, with three weekly flights between GIG and JFK, starting July 8th. The leased A330-300 from Wamos will fly until the arrival of Gol's own A330-900s later this year.

Photo: Gol
 

NEW AIRLINE - Mukhtara Air is a developing full-service Indonesian charter and commercial airline based in Tangerang, primarily targeting Hajj and Umrah travel

PK-MKU- A330-343

Photo: Benedictus Nathaniel

Hub Airport: Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.

Fleet: Currently consists of an Airbus A320-200 for domestic feeder routes and an Airbus A330-300 for international long-haul operations.Routes: 

The A330 primarily serves international destinations such as Madinah and Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

FLEET - Air Transat looks to renew A330s in 2029-32

 Air Transat (TS, Montréal Trudeau) is approaching a pivotal moment in its fleet strategy, with the carrier expecting to decide within the next few years how to replace its ageing A330 fleet. While no formal decision has yet been taken, chief revenue officer Sebastián Ponce indicated that the timeframe for doing so is becoming increasingly clear.

The airline currently operates a fleet of A330-200s and A330-300s that remain well suited to its highly seasonal leisure business model. However, in an interview with ch-aviation during the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Ponce stressed that the A330s will eventually need to be replaced.

"At a point in time, we will need to replace our A330s. So even though we are very happy about them because they're low-cost old aircraft that fit very well into our seasonality, at a certain point around 2029-2032, we will be in need of replacing them. So we're working on that, how to replace them," he said.

The company operates a fully dry-leased fleet of eight A321-200s, nineteen A321-200NX(LR)s, thirteen A330-200s, and two A330-300s. The widebody fleet averages 20.5 and 18.7 years of age, respectively.

Potential for the XLR

Air Transat's only outstanding order is for four A321-200NY(XLR)s, which are scheduled to enter the fleet in late 2027. Ponce believes the aircraft will enable the airline to deepen its presence in thinner transatlantic markets that cannot sustain widebody operations. He described it as the natural evolution of the A321LRs already in the fleet.

Several potential markets are already being evaluated, including Rome Fiumicino and destinations in northern Italy, Central Europe, and North Africa. The executive added that the XLR could also improve the economics of existing routes currently operated by the LR, such as Lima International, where payload restrictions reduce the number of seats that can be sold.

However, all of this remains theoretical, as the performance of the XLR within Air Transat's specific operating environment still needs to be validated.

CH Aviation

NEW LIVERY - First A330 to receive the latest SAS scheme.(LN-RKT)

Photo: Dave Corry
 

FLEET - Philippine Airlines studies order for up to 20 widebodies

Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) is evaluating an order for up to 20 widebody aircraft to replace older A330-300s and B777-300ERs, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

The Philippine flag carrier, which recently announced plans to join Oneworld by mid-2027, is reportedly considering the B787 as well as the A330neo and A350 families, though no decision has been made on a manufacturer or aircraft type.

The sources also said Philippine Airlines does not intend to order the B777X because it is considered too large for operations at Manila Ninoy Aquino International.

ch-aviation has requested comment from Philippine Airlines, Airbus, and Boeing.

Rightsizing the fleet

Speaking at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, president Richard Nuttall said capacity constraints at the Philippines' main gateway were encouraging the airline to focus on larger aircraft and additional long-haul services.

"What it really means is that we're concentrating more on increasing the size of our aircraft and operating more intercontinental flights," he said.

Philippine Airlines and regional subsidiary PAL Express collectively operate eighteen A320-twenty-two A321-200s, six A321-200Ns, two A321-200NX, eleven A330-300s, two A350-900s, two A350-1000s, ten B777-300ERs, and eleven DHC-8-Q400s.

According to ch-aviation data, the flag carrier has outstanding orders for seven A350-1000s and thirteen A321-200NX aircraft. According to Nuttall, deliveries of the narrowbody aircraft have slipped from their original schedules.

Philippine Airlines temporarily reduced capacity by 15% and deferred approximately USD100 million in capital expenditure as it prioritises cash management amid elevated fuel prices, although Nuttall said the deferral is temporary.

CH Aviation / Photo: Duncan Stewart 

FLEET - VietJet Thailand remains committed to replacing its fleet with 50 new B737-8 planes over three years

while accelerating plans to phase out its existing A320 and A321 jets to streamline costs. If the carrier gets A330neos from its parent, Europe flights are on the table for early 2027.

Aviator / Photo: Vietjet

ROUTES - VietJet Air (Vietnam) plans to launch Hanoi – Almaty – Prague route on 10 October 2026, with A330-300.

 Photo: Vietjet

HYBRIDS c/s / FLEET - Laser Airlines expanded its European routes with an Airbus A330 wet-leased from the Portuguese-Maltese aviation specialist Hi Fly.

While Hi Fly does operate an Airbus A330-300 (registered 9H-HFI) within its versatile fleet, the specific aircraft dedicated to the transatlantic operations for Laser Airlines (between Caracas and Madrid)

Laser Airlines (HiFly) - 9H-HFI - Airbus A330-302 - Serial #: 805 - Madrid Barajas - LEMD, Spain
Photo: Juan Manuel Gibaja

 

RWANDAIR / 9XR-WP / A330-300

Ton Jochems - BRU
 

SPECIAL COLOURS - Malaysia Airlines Unveils Mumbai Indians-Themed Aircraft, Taking the Spirit of Mumbai Global

Malaysia Airlines and Mumbai Indians today unveiled a one-of-a-kind aircraft livery, bringing together the iconic blue and gold of one of cricket's most celebrated franchises to the skies with the blues of Malaysia Airlines.

Now featured on Malaysia Airlines’ A330-300, the specially designed livery transforms the aircraft into a bold visual expression of sport, culture and connection - carrying the spirit of Mumbai beyond the stadium and onto the global stage. The design blends the distinctive identities of both brands, featuring a dynamic pulse radiating from the Mumbai Indians emblem and its iconic Chakra, symbolising motion and momentum. Flowing patterns across the aircraft reflect the team’s growing global fanbase, reinforcing Malaysia Airlines’ role as a global carrier connecting people through shared journeys and experiences.

To mark the launch, Malaysia Airlines and Mumbai Indians have released a tribute digital film capturing the vibrant culture of Mumbai, the passion of its fans and the warmth of Malaysian Hospitality.

Bryan Foong, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, “India remains a key growth market for Malaysia Airlines as we continue to strengthen our presence and connectivity across the region. This collaboration with Mumbai Indians allows us to go beyond traditional aviation partnerships by integrating cultural relevance into our brand experience. It reflects our commitment to building meaningful, long-term connections with customers while reinforcing Malaysia Airlines as a carrier that connects people, places and passions across our global network."

A Mumbai Indians spokesperson added, “Our collaboration with Malaysia Airlines is a powerful expression of how the Mumbai Indians brand continues to travel beyond the game and into culture. Seeing our colours take flight on a global platform is a proud moment, as it connects fans across geographies and brings the spirit of Mumbai to the world. Malaysia Airlines has been a forward-thinking partner of sharing our vision of creating meaningful fan experiences not just in stadiums, but across journeys.”

The dedicated aircraft will begin operating on key routes later this year, connecting fans across India, Asia and beyond. More than a visual statement, the collaboration extends the matchday experience into the journey itself, allowing fans to carry their allegiance wherever they travel.

As part of its broader commitment to driving inbound travel and strengthening Malaysia’s position as a key regional hub, Malaysia Airlines continues to enhance its Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme. The initiative allows eligible international travellers transiting through Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 to explore an additional Malaysian destination at no additional fare (excluding taxes), with access to eight domestic destinations showcasing Malaysia’s cultural, natural and heritage attractions within a single itinerary.
As Malaysia’s national carrier, the airline also continues to support Visit Malaysia 2026 in collaboration with government and industry partners, further enhancing connectivity and reinforcing Malaysia as a destination of choice for travellers from India, Southeast Asia and beyond.

This forms part of Malaysia Airlines’ broader effort to deepen brand visibility in key markets, including its partnership with Mumbai Indians as the Official Global Airline Partner, announced earlier this year. The airline’s branding is featured on the right chest of the team’s jersey, one of the most prominent positions in cricket.

Malaysian Airlines
 

Aer Lingus ends operations on UK certificate

Flyingphotos - Faro

Aer Lingus (United Kingdom) (EG, Belfast City) operated its final flight on March 31, 2026, and is in the process of transferring both of its A330-300s back to the parent company, Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International).

EI-EDY (msn 1025) was reregistered in Ireland on March 13, 2026, following its last revenue flight under the UK certificate on March 2, on the Orlando International-Manchester route, then as G-EIDY. It has been operating for Aer Lingus under the Irish certificate since March 19.

The second unit of the type, G-EILA (msn 1106), continued under the British AOC until the end of March, with the last service from Orlando on March 30. It was ferried to Dublin International the next day and has remained parked since then. UK records indicate that the aircraft remains registered in the country, but an application to export it has already been filed.

Aer Lingus announced earlier this year that it would close its Manchester base at the end of March, ending its transatlantic services from the UK.

The IAG International Airlines Group-owned airline did not respond to ch-aviation's question whether it planned to retain the UK certificate for potential future use or surrender it.

Aer Lingus' fleet on the Irish certificate comprises twenty-seven A320-200s, eight A320-200Ns, eight A321-200NX(LR)s, six A321-200NY(XLR)s, three A330-200s, and eleven A330-300s (excluding G-EILA, which has yet to be transferred).