The First Airbus A330 For Startup Hans Airways Arrives In Birmingham

Soon, #travellers looking for direct #flights between the #UK and #India will have more options. As it celebrates the arrival of its first #Airbus #A330-200 on British soil, Hans Airways, a new long-haul startup airline, aims to launch operations soon. After taking off from #Palma Airport, the plane landed at Birmingham International Airport where it was met by the airline's management team for an official inspection.

The Airbus A330-200 had a comprehensive 200-hour inspection by Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi before departing for Palma. The aircraft is slightly over 14 years old, hence the inspection work was necessary as previously contracted by its former airline operator, Air Europa. Satnam Saini, Nathan Burkitt, and Martin Dunn, the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and chief commercial officer of Hans Airways, met the aircraft when it landed in Birmingham.

Prior to the formal technical transfer and signing of the technical acceptance with the lessor, the executive team of the airline welcomed the guests. And Saini added in honour of the launch of its maiden fleet: "The arrival of our first widebody Airbus into the UK is a large and important step in Hans Airways' development. We are happy to have strengthened our leadership and management team over the course of the last 12 months by bringing in a plethora of talent and experience. Additionally, we hired and educated a whole team of outstanding pilots and cabin crew members who would be prepared to fly as soon as the airline receives its AOC."

The aircraft's stay in Birmingham will, however, be brief for the time being because it must return to Spain, where it was originally registered, for final administrative, contractual, financial, and customs clearance tasks. A final interior check of the engines is part of the process, as is the correction of any found flaws. Hans Airways has teamed with STS Aviation Services to guarantee that the aircraft is prepared for its crucial route-proving flight for the UK Civil Aviation Authority. STS Aviation Services will take care of the necessary assignments.

Currently flying under the registration EC-KTG, the Airbus A330-200 made its final commercial trip in 2020, just as the epidemic started to spread over the globe. The vehicle will take to the skies as the newly registered G-KJAS when STS Aviation Services has finished the necessary repairs. Colby Payne, the head of sales for STS Aviation Services, said: "We are pleased that Hans Airways has chosen STS as a long-term primary maintenance provider to service its Airbus A330. Our cutting-edge widebody aircraft MRO facility in Birmingham has accepted the first aircraft for maintenance as a result of our agreement, and we look forward to helping Hans Airways with other projects as its growth continues.

Hans Airways plans to use the Airbus A330-200 on its first route from Birmingham to Amritsar after its route-proving flight is successful. The long-haul airline originally intends to offer a four times weekly service to the important commercial and cultural hub in Punjab in Northern India. The Harmandir Sahib, sometimes referred to as the Golden Temple, is located in the city, which serves as the spiritual and cultural hub of the Sikh faith.

Only once a week does Air India operate a direct Boeing 787 Dreamliner trip between the two cities. Given the good load factor it experienced prior to the epidemic and the rising demands from local organisations and politicians, the Indian carrier is considering raising its frequency. Air India may face fierce competition on its first route if it decides to increase flight capacity.