HiSky Europe (H4, Iasi) has signed a contract with Air Lease Corporation for the lease of a single A330-200, its first widebody aircraft. Delivery is expected by the end of the year.
"Over the past two years, we've experienced consistent growth that has brought us to this pivotal moment - the moment when we are prepared to acquire our first widebody aircraft. We've now become the fourth-largest air carrier at Romania's primary airport and the largest operator of Airbus aircraft registered in Romania. Our partnership with ALC has undeniably proven to be a successful one," Chief Executive Iulian Scorpan said.
HiSky Europe did not respond to ch-aviation's request for the A330's serial number. It also has not outlined any network plans for the aircraft.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows the Romanian airline currently operates four A320-200s and two A321-200NX(LR)s while sister HiSky (H7, Chisinau International) operates one A319-100. All seven narrowbodies are dry-leased from Air Lease Corporation.
The airline recently outlined ambitions to serve the United States by the end of 2023, but said it would do so using its A321neo(LR)s with a refuelling stop. This would mark the resumption of Romania-US services after a 20-year hiatus.
HiSky Europe's A330 will be the first widebody passenger aircraft operated on scheduled routes by a Romanian carrier since state-owned TAROM (RO, Bucharest Henri Coanda) retired its two A310-300s in 2016. Legend Airlines (Romania) (LZ, Bucharest Henri Coanda) operates three A340-300s but solely as an ACMI/charter operator.
