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Qantas has said it now expects to receive the
first of 50
Boeing 787 Dreamliners – 787-8 – in mid-2012.
The
change follows an agreement reached with Boeing to bring forward
the delivery of eight 787-8s by around two years. The first
aircraft will be used by Jetstar for its international operations.
“It [the 787] will be
ideal for point-to-point flying on medium density routes, both
short and long haul and will allow Jetstar to move into southern
Europe as well as build on its Asian network,” said
Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce. “It will
also be suitable for Qantas services into Asia, and even for high
traffic routes on Qantas’ domestic network.”
The Boeing 787s are expected to give airlines lower operating and maintenance costs, greater fuel
efficiency and improved environmental performance. They also offer
passengers larger windows, higher humidity and a lower cabin
altitude pressure.
The change to the
Qantas’ Boeing 787 order will see:
- Qantas Group firm orders
remain at 50 aircraft, comprising 15 787-8s and 35 787-9s;
-
the first eight aircraft – all 787-8s – delivered from mid-2012;
- the remaining seven 787-8s, along with 35 787-9s, to follow
from 2014, allowing for the retirement of Qantas’ remaining
Boeing 767-300ER fleet and providing for international growth for
Jetstar or Qantas; and
- Qantas retain the ability to purchase
up to 50 additional aircraft.
The group’s first 15 787s will
be delivered to Jetstar for international growth which will also
enable the transfer of A330-200s from Jetstar to Qantas and the
retirement of Qantas 767-300ERs.
Jetstar will
configure the 787-8 fleet for its low fare international
operations to accommodate 313 passengers in two classes that includes its international business class, StarClass.
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