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).

ROUTES - Air Seychelles has extended the Mahe – Paris CDG route to 31 May 2026, operating with A330-300 from Hi Fly (Portugal).

Images: Air Seychelles
 

SPECIAL COLOURS - SAS marks 80 years with anniversary aircraft

SAS marks the start of its 80th year of operations with a specially painted Airbus A330-300,
celebrating eight decades of connecting Scandinavia with the world.
Throughout 2026, the airline will highlight its heritage and continued role in linking people, businesses and societies.

The anniversary comes 80 years after SAS’s first intercontinental flight on September 17, 1946, when aroute from Stockholm to New York brought Scandinavia closer to the world. Today, SAS links Scandinavia with destinations across Europe, North America and Asia, using Copenhagen as its primary international gateway.

To mark the milestone, SAS has introduced a dedicated livery on one of its Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

The aircraft is part of the airline’s long-haul fleet, which includes eight Airbus A330-300s, each with 266 seats,complemented by the state-of-the-art Airbus A350, and A321LR, serving SAS’s intercontinental network.

The livery features SAS blue across the entire aircraft for the first time, building on one of the airline’s most recognizable design elements.

The Scandinavian flag has been reinterpreted as a reference to the classic 1980s livery, alongside a new anniversary symbol inspired by the aircraft’s engines and fuselage.

“For 80 years, Scandinavian Airlines has driven innovation and brought Scandinavia closer to the worldthrough safe and reliable operations,” says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS. “From our first transatlantic flight to today’s global network, that purpose remains unchanged.

This aircraft is a symbol of our heritage, and of the role we play every day for our customers and the societies we serve.”

Its first flight is scheduled between Copenhagen and New York, echoing the historic route that defined SAS’s early international expansion.

FLEET - Deucalion Arranges Acquisition of Three A330 Aircraft on Lease to Wamos Airlines

 

LONDON and NEW YORK and DUBLIN, March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Deucalion Aviation, a global aviation investment and asset management platform, today announced the acquisition of three Airbus A330 aircraft currently on lease to Wamos Air. Deucalion acted as arranger and servicer in connection with the transaction on behalf of institutional investors. Deal terms were not disclosed.

The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines, were sourced and executed through Deucalion's global origination network and reflect the firm's continued focus on mid- to end-of-life widebody aircraft with durable lease profiles and strong asset optionality.

The transaction expands Deucalion's managed A330 portfolio and underscores the platform's capabilities in sourcing, underwriting, and actively managing complex widebody assets across market cycles.

"We are delighted to add Wamos as a lessee in a transaction that highlights Deucalion's ability to originate and execute multi-aircraft acquisitions in the mid-life widebody market," said Nate Riggs, Chief Commercial Officer of Deucalion Aviation. "Our team focuses not only on identifying attractive relative value opportunities, but also on actively managing aircraft throughout their lifecycle — including lease transitions, extensions, and end-of-life strategies. The A330 remains a highly versatile variant, and this transaction reflects our continued conviction in this segment of the market."

Karl Trowbridge, Chief Operating Officer of Deucalion Aviation, added: "Mid- to end-of-life aircraft require hands-on operational oversight, deep technical capability and market knowledge to preserve and enhance value. Our platform is built around active servicing — from detailed technical management and lease compliance to transition planning and remarketing. This transaction demonstrates how Deucalion integrates sourcing discipline with operational execution to deliver consistent outcomes for our capital partners."