Historic moment: Hi Fly touches down Airbus A330 in Antarctica for first time

Portuguese charter airline Hi Fly has made aviation history after successfully landing an Airbus A330 in Antarctica for the first time, opening a new chapter in its Antarctic operations. 

This flight took place just one month after the airline celebrated five years of continuous Antarctic operations, Hi Fly announced in a statement on December 2, 2025. 

“Landing in Antarctica is never routine, every flight demands careful planning, exacting precision, and respect for the environment,” said Captain Mirpuri. “Introducing the A330 to this remote runway highlights our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and the ongoing evolution of polar aviation.” 

Hi Fly’s Airbus A330-302, with the registration 9H-HFI and powered by General Electric engines, landed safely on the blue-ice runway at Wolf’s Fang Runway, Antarctica, on December 1, 2025, at 23:59 local time. 

The flight was piloted by Captain Carlos Mirpuri, Vice-Chairman of Hi Fly, who flew from Cape Town, South Africa, to a remote airfield in Antarctica as part of the airline’s ongoing partnership with White Desert for the 2025/2026 season. 

The A330 has the same fuselage as Hi Fly’s A340 but operates with two engines instead of four, providing similar performance while being more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. 

According to the airline, twin-engine operations at Wolf’s Fang runway are now possible due to additional ground support equipment that was unavailable when Hi Fly started its Antarctic flights. Additionally, the aircraft performs well in extreme polar conditions. 

This achievement follows Hi Fly’s landmark 2021 achievement, when it became the first airline to land an Airbus A340 in Antarctica. 

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