Hi Fly, marking five years of flights to the Earth’s southernmost continent this year, recorded yet another milestone, earlier this week, by safely landing its Airbus A330-302, registered 9H-HFI, on the blue ice runway at Wolf’s Fang Runway, Antarctica.
Five Years Voyaging to the Frozen Continent
Hi Fly, a wet lease company that provides crew and aircraft to other airlines, began their annual journey to Antarctica back in 2021. Each prior trip took between five and five and a half hours to reach their destination. Hi Fly’s 2025 flight, taking off from Cape Town, South Africa, was no different. After around five hours, the Hi Fly crew managed to touch down on the Antarctic runway on 1st December 11:59 p.m.
Despite commanding the company’s first journey to Antarctica, Hi Fly’s Vice-Chairman, Captain Carlos Mirpuri, noted that “Landing in Antarctica is never routine, every flight demands careful planning, exacting precision, and respect for the environment.”
On that first mission, Captain Mirpuri landed an Airbus A340 on Wolf’s Fang Runway. Five years later, in 2025, he piloted Airbus’s A330-302. The newer plane boasts greater cost efficiency and a smaller environmental footprint due to its two engines, half that of the Airbus A340.
Airbus A330 less fuel-intensive
Although variable depending on the payload, the Airbus A330 consumes around 5.85 tons of fuel per hour, compared to its predecessor, the A340, which consumes around 6.5 tons per hour. The reduction in fuel consumption would certainly have been a benefit to Hi Fly’s expedition, as Wolf’s Fang Runway does not have any on-site refuelling facilities. Despite the lack of refuelling facilities, the Antarctic runway has added additional ground support equipment since Hi Fly’s first mission to the frozen continent.
Captain Mirpuri stated, “introducing the A330 to this remote runway highlights our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and the ongoing evolution of polar aviation.”
What do you think Hi Fly’s five years of flights to Antarctica? Let us know in the comments.
