China’s Hainan Airlines is phasing out its Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops and may expand its regional fleet by adding more Dornier 328Jets.
The carrier is in negotiations to sell its two remaining Q400s to US carrier Horizon Air, says a source at Hainan Airlines. One of the Q400s was removed from service on 13 February but the other is still operating. Hainan originally had three Q400s, but a few years ago one was written off after suffering “extensive damage during maintenance”, says the source.
The airline is selling the Q400s because it wants to simplify its fleet and it has become apparent that Chinese passengers “prefer jet aircraft” after the “propeller market was destroyed by Russian [turboprop] aircraft that had a bad reputation”, says the Hainan source. He adds that Hainan hopes to expand its fleet by adding to its 29 328Jets or acquiring additional Airbus A319s or Boeing 737s.
The acquistion of additional 328Jets over other regional types is favoured as prices are more competitive.
Although manufacture of the 33-seater 328Jet ended last year after the collapse of its then owner AvCraft, the airline could tap into the secondhand market. Over 80 328Jets are in service worldwide, with Hainan having one of the largest fleets.
Source: Flight International
