Airbus has confirmed a deal with Hong Kong Airlines for a firm order of nine wide-body A330-300 aircraft.

Once delivered, the planes will be deployed at Hong Kong Airlines’ Asian network and beyond, expanding its wide-body fleet.

With the delivery of its first A350-900 plane by the end of 2018, Hong Kong Airlines’ fleet size will stand at more than 50 aircraft.

Hong Kong Airlines president Zhang Kui said: "Today's announcement underscores our plan to operate an extensive regional network in Asia.

"The A330’s flexibility also allows us to further deploy these aircraft to some long-haul routes in the future, and we are going to operate the all-new A350 XWB in 2017, which will open a new chapter of our international operations."

Founded in 2006, the airline currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of 33 aircraft, which include 11 A320s and 22 A330s, as well as five A330-200 freighter aircraft. 

"With the A330, the carrier will be operating the most cost-efficient and versatile wide-body aircraft, both now and in the future."

The airline currently covers 30 major cities across the Asia Pacific region, including Gold Coast, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, Sapporo, Bangkok, Bali and Okinawa.

Airbus customers chief operating officer John Leahy said: "With the A330, the carrier will be operating the most cost-efficient and versatile wide-body aircraft, both now and in the future."

Airbus has so far received more than 1,600 orders for its A330 family of aircraft, which features passenger, freighter, VIP, and military transport/tanker variants.

Around 120 operators are now flying more than 1,250 A330 family aircraft worldwide.

Image: Hong Kong Airlines currently operates an all-Airbus fleet. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.