Hainan Airlines' first aircraft ends service after 27 years under Suparna Airlines' operation

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Images : HNA

On 14 August 2020, HNA Group member Suparna Airlines (formerly Yangtze River Express) Boeing B737-300 cargo aircraft (formerly Hainan Airlines B737-300 passenger aircraft), registered B2578, is ready to fly its last service under flight number Y82578. The flight number of this scheduled flight was specially named after its registration number to commemorate and thank this "old friend" who has accompanied HNA in its growth and soaring years.

The pre-flight inspection for Y82578 is a technical team composed of the maintenance vice president, safety director, general manager of the maintenance engineering department and key maintenance engineers. B2578 has witnessed the growth of these old maintenance engineers. 

Liu Zhongqing, Vice President of Maintenance of Suparna Airlines, recalled: “B2578 is the first aircraft of Hainan Airlines (HNA) and the first aircraft I maintained during my maintenance career. Today, she completed her mission in Suparna Airlines, under HNA, and retired honourably. Here, I want to say sincerely, 'Old mate, you worked hard!'".

At the farewell ceremony for retirement, there were many old HNA people who grew up with B2578. Its first flight attendant Lin Xiu, who is now a business executive of the cabin and ground service department of Suparna Airlines, met B2578 again. She was very excited. She said, "On April 13, 1993, as the first group of flight attendants of HNA, I successfully guaranteed the maiden flight of B2578 and opened the prelude to the service spirit of the HNA store. Today, 27 years later, she will carry the boundless hopes of HNA people and go to new positions. It has completed its new mission! Thanks to this old comrade-in-arms and every HNA member for her dedication, and I wish her continued to spread her wings and fly high."

The pick-up pilot Zhao Yahui recalled, “In early April 1993, I participated in the acceptance and test flight of the B2578 at Boeing in the United States, and completed the high-altitude test flight. The left and right engines were turned off and the single-engine flying plane was intact. Then I accompanied the Boeing flight instructor. As soon as it took off via Los Angeles and other airports, it landed at the British Mountain Airport at 3 pm on 13 April. Under the Arc de Triomphe, Boeing instructors handed over the aircraft keys to Chairman Chen Feng, and Chairman Chen Feng solemnly handed me the golden aircraft keys. Holding the keys, I felt heavy with both hands. He said, 'The pilot has a heavy responsibility and must ensure flight safety.' On 2 May 1993, we flew the 2578 aircraft for the first time on the route from Haikou to Beijing, and Hainan Airlines officially took off! Hainan province has officially ended its history of not having its own airline! B2578 has witnessed the development of the aviation industry in Hainan!"

Wen Jianping,  now a flight instructor for the Airbus A330 fleet of Hainan Airlines, is the first-generation pilot of HNA’s B2578 aircraft. He testified, “As HNA’s first aircraft, the B2578 has witnessed the growth of HNA and made important contributions to the development of Hainan Province. Now she has completed her own history. The mission is like seeing off an old comrade in arms. The mountains and rivers always meet, and the future can be expected."

In the spring of 1993, as the first aircraft introduced by HNA, Yu Jianzhong's crew took on the high expectations of the HNA entrepreneurial team and the people of Hainan to fly the B2578 for the first flight. The launch of this new Boeing 737-300 aircraft marked the first time Hainan Airlines soared to the sky 27 years ago. It witnessed and witnessed the hardworking spirit of the first generation of Hainan Airlines and the vigorous beginning of the civil aviation industry in Hainan Province! Twenty-seven years later, I learned that my old friends were about to quit the HNA family and sent a testimonial: “I am the first batch of HNA pilots to obtain a civil aviation license. B2578 is the first aircraft of Hainan Airlines. We worked together at HNA. For more than 10,000 days, the most memorable thing was on May 2, 1993. Together, we completed the first flight of Hainan Airlines from Haikou to Beijing. This is its pride and will always be my pride!"

Hainan Airlines' first aircraft 

On 13 April 1993, the first Boeing 737-300 (registration number B2578) of Hainan Airlines arrived at Haikou Dayingshan Airport. This day is also the anniversary of the fifth anniversary of the founding of Hainan Province.

As the first-generation air force transfer pilot of Hainan Airlines, Wen Jianping witnessed and personally experienced the delivery of the B2578 aircraft. As the transfer pilot at the time, the flight 27 years ago is still vivid. In 27 years of blue sky journey, B2578 flight has made great contributions to HNA's entrepreneurship with good performance. Today, we can only continue to shoulder the HNA business and contribute to the realization of the new development of HNA business! "

At 10.20 am on 2 May 1993, the B2578 aircraft of Hainan Airlines launched its maiden flight on the Haikou - Beijing route. This is a historic moment, opening the prelude to HNA’s 27 years of entrepreneurship and continuous safe operation. At the same time, it also marked the realization of the aviation dream of more than 6 million people in Hainan, and the border islands finally built their own aerial “bridge”. .

B2578 became freighter aircraft in 2009

In 2009, the B2578 aircraft formally joined the Yangtze River Express fleet for the air transportation of bulk cargo in domestic civil aviation. It has flew important domestic and Asia-Pacific freight routes such as Pudong - Beijing, Guangzhou - Pudong and Shenzhen - Beijing routes. Live animal charter flights, precision medical equipment charter flights, fresh and other perishable goods charter flights, cultural relics, racing cars and other precious items are transported by charter flights.

On 14 April 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in Yushu, Qinghai. B2578 went into battle in an emergency and flew directly from Hangzhou and Shanghai to Xining. Within 48 hours, 44 tons of urgently needed daily necessities and medicines were delivered to the front line safely and efficiently. Seven classes of material transportation of up to 80 tons were completed within 10 days. As the main freighter, B2578 takes care of every major transportation task!

B2578 ends service after 27 years

B2578 has accompanied HNA for 27 years and has grown from a single local air transport company to the fourth largest aviation group in the country. It has witnessed generations of HNA who have overcome difficulties and dared to lead the world. It is the realization of aviation for all Hainan people. Dreaming, the "founder" who built the air bridge, shoulders the social responsibility mission of HNA Group of "doing something for the society and doing something for others". The withdrawal of the B2578 aircraft does not mean a curtain call, but a continuation of the struggle of the new generation of HNA.