Portuguese airline Hi Fly has once again written its name into the history books by successfully completing the first landing of an Airbus A330 in Antarctica. This achievement comes just one month after celebrating five consecutive years of operations to the white continent, solidifying the airline’s role as a leader in complex, long-range missions.
A Precise Landing at Wolf’s Fang Runway
The Airbus A330-300, registration 9H-HFI and equipped with General Electric engines, touched down on Wolf’s Fang Runway on December 1st at 23:59 local time. The operation linked Cape Town, South Africa, with the remote blue ice runway located in Antarctica.
The mission was commanded by Captain Carlos Mirpuri, Vice President of Hi Fly, accompanied by Captain Antonios Efthymiou, the company’s CEO, who was on board to celebrate this key step in the 2025/2026 campaign alongside White Desert Antarctica.
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An Effective Aircraft in Extreme Conditions
The A330 shares the same fuselage as Hi Fly’s A340, though it operates with two engines instead of four. This maintains comparable performance while reducing costs and improving environmental impact. The operation of twin-engine aircraft at Wolf’s Fang is possible thanks to new ground support equipment that was not available in the early years of flights to the area.
Reliable, comfortable, and with an outstanding safety record, the A330 performs exceptionally well in polar conditions, where precision and planning are essential.
A Step Forward in the Evolution of Polar Operations
This milestone expands on the work begun in 2021, when Hi Fly became the first airline to land an Airbus A340 in Antarctica. The incorporation of the A330, valued for its efficiency and versatility, opens a new chapter in sustainable operations to one of the planet’s most demanding environments.
“Flying to Antarctica is never routine. Every mission requires careful planning, precision, and respect for the environment. The introduction of the A330 demonstrates our commitment to innovation and excellence,” stated Captain Mirpuri, who also led the A340 mission.
Leadership in Special Flights and Remote Missions
The arrival of the A330 confirms Hi Fly as a benchmark for highly demanding missions. Its combination of operational experience and cutting-edge technology strengthens its position in operations requiring reliability, autonomy, and adaptability.
Hi Fly specializes in wet lease and charter flights with wide-body aircraft. Its modern fleet maintains a clear focus on safety, sustainability, and reliability. The company is recognized for its work in special operations, humanitarian missions, and pioneering flights to some of the world’s most remote and complex destinations, including Antarctica.
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