Hawaiian Airlines Adds Winglets to 767s

Hawaiian Airlines has taken delivery of the first of up to 27 new Airbus aircraft, to operate flights to the US mainland and international destinations.

The airline has also just completed a major fleet enhancement programme, which increases the fuel efficiency of eight of its current Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Hawaiian has installed fuel-saving blended winglets on the long haul Boeing 767s, reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions while increasing operating performance.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiian Airlines, Mark Dunkerley, said the addition of winglets to the Boeing 767s, coupled with the orders for wide-bodied Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft, would deliver significant long term financial and environmental benefits through lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

The Boeing 767 winglets – large, upturned extensions on the aircraft wingtips – reduce the airflow “drag” from the wings. They are now cutting fuel burn on each of the modified aircraft by approximately 4% and reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2,250 tons per aircraft.

On some flights, the modifications enable Hawaiian’s Boeing 767s to carry between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds in extra payload or to increase their flying range, as well as reducing engine maintenance costs.

Mr Dunkerley said, “Our decision to acquire new Airbus aircraft over the next decade is the biggest investment in growth and improved efficiency in the history of Hawaiian Airlines. The modification of eight of our existing long-haul Boeing 767s is a parallel initiative which immediately enables us to achieve even greater efficiency and environmental benefits on our trans-Pacific flights to destinations including US mainland, Australia and The Philippines.”

Hawaiian will introduce up to 15 Airbus A330-200 aircraft and up to 12 next-generation A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body) jets. The first two A330s for Hawaiian are due to commence scheduled flights between Honolulu and Los Angeles from June, with plans to increase their use on services not only to the US mainland but progressively on international routes later this year.

The A350s are scheduled for delivery from 2017, enabling Hawaiian to consider not only significant capacity increases but new long range services to destinations including Australia and South East Asia.

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