Aviation circle news Despite the impact of the global new crown pneumonia epidemic, Xingyu Airlines is actively deploying medium and long-range routes. Xingyu Airlines’ first and currently the only Airbus A330neo wide-body passenger aircraft in Taiwan arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan Airport on the afternoon of February 19.
Singyu Airlines’ first A330neo aircraft was officially delivered on February 18th. It is the first A330neo aircraft in Taiwan. The new aircraft took off from Toulouse at 7:00 p.m. on February 18th, French time, and arrived at Taoyuan Airport at 5:00 p.m. on February 19th, Beijing time. After completing the new aircraft introduction verification and crew training, it is expected to start operating in May.
Starspace Airlines’ A330neo cabin is planned to have 297 seats, including 28 in business class and 269 in economy class. Starspace Airlines has leased 8 A330neos in total, and the first A330neo (registration number B-58301) is expected to be put into operation in May after completing the new aircraft introduction verification and crew training. Xingyu said that this year, it will introduce 3 more new aircrafts of the same model, and gradually put them into service for destinations in the Asia-Pacific region such as Macau, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo.
Starry Airline Chairman Zhang Guowei said that after a long period of research and discussion with the team, he decided to select the most suitable medium-to-long-range airliner, which will be paired with the existing A321neo and the upcoming A350 XWB. The short-, medium-, and long-range aircraft all have their own characteristics. It can make the flight network of Xingyu fleet more complete. The A330neo has superior performance and is convenient for pilots to switch between Airbus models. The addition of this model will not only make the fleet use more flexible, but also allow more passengers on regional routes to enjoy the services of Starstar Airlines.
Starspace Airlines continues to expand new destinations and expand its fleet. In early February, it ushered in the seventh new A321neo aircraft. The first A330neo dual-aisle passenger aircraft arrived on February 19. It is also scheduled to introduce the first and only first-class aircraft in Taiwan in the second half of the year. The Airbus A350 XWB in the cabin is preparing for the opening of North American routes.
According to aviation circles, Xingyu Airlines was founded by Zhang Guowei, the former chairman of EVA Air.
Zhang Guowei is a well-known civil aviation person in Taiwan. He used to be the general manager and chairman of EVA Air. At the beginning of 2016, his father, Zhang Rongfa, the founder of Evergreen Group, passed away. Zhang Rongfa’s original will designated his youngest son, Zhang Guowei, chairman of EVA Airlines, as the successor to the president of the group and everything under Zhang Rongfa’s name. Zhang Guowei "swept out", Zhang Guowei had no choice but to leave EVA and EVA Airlines sadly.
Subsequently, in November 2016, Zhang Guowei decided to start his own airline, named Xingyu Airlines. In April 2018, he was officially approved to start the establishment. In October 2019, he received the first aircraft and set sail on January 23, 2020. Soon we encountered the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Zhang Guowei said that he will strive to build Xingyu Airlines into "the best airline in the world".
Xingyu Airlines originally planned to lease 10 Airbus A321neo (as of February 2022, 7 have been received), and purchase 17 Airbus A350. However, in the face of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, Xingyu Airlines is operating against the trend. In September 2020, it stated that it will add 12 more aircraft, including the lease of 8 A330-900, 1 A350, and 3 A321neo. The scale will reach 39.
At present, Starstar Airlines has launched flights from Taipei (Taoyuan Airport) to Macau, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Thailand, Da Nang, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Manila, Philippines, and Singapore, etc. to 11 cities in Asia. With the situation of the epidemic and the border control regulations of various countries, Starstar Airlines will flexibly adjust its flights.