Qantas shrinks Dreamliner order

Qantas shrinks Dreamliner order
By admin


Caution over the growth prospects of Jetstar's international operations has prompted Qantas to ditch one firm order for a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with domestic fleet expansion instead on the agenda.

The cancellation coincides with Qantas' announcement it will lease an additional five Boeing 717 aircraft and purchase three Bombardier Q400s for use on domestic routes, with delivery expected from the second half of 2013.

Chief executive Alan Joyce said the boost to the domestic fleet would give the airline "flexibility to pursue growth options in a range of short-haul markets."

"It is a sensible investment in a part of the Qantas Group that is delivering strong returns," he said.

However, he admitted the international outlook was cloudier, prompting the scaling down of its B787-8 order.

"While the plan is for Jetstar's long haul network to keep expanding, we are using the flexibility in our agreement with Boeing to cancel a firm order knowing that we can replace it with one of our 50 options for this aircraft down the track, and with a full view of what market conditions are like at the time," he said.

Joyce stressed that the remaining 14 B787-8s will be delivered to Jetstar as planned, with the first aircraft to arrive in mid-2013. The arrival of the Dreamliners will enable the gradual transfer of Airbus A330 aircraft from Jetstar to Qantas Domestic, and the retirement of Qantas' Boeing 767 fleet.

Meanwhile, despite the cancellation, chief executive Alan Joyce insisted the group remains "firmly committed" to the introduction of Dreamliners for both Qantas International and Jetstar, amid ongoing turmoil over the safety of the 787 aircraft.

 

 

Latest News

  • Technology

Aeronology accepted into Virtuoso network as travel-tech company continues to thrive

Aeronology has announced a wide-reaching technology and services provider agreement with Virtuoso, the global network specialising in luxury and experiential travel. The Melbourne-based company provides travel agents with a modern “full service” point-of-sale travel booking platform and was named one of the Hot Top 25 Travel Start-Up’s 2023 by Phocuswire. Virtuoso advisers will have access […]

  • Products

From Castle Hill to Paris, local wellness cosmetics brand makes good in world’s best hotels

Subtle Energies, a little-known Sydney wellness cosmetics brand with its home base in Castle Hill, is now on the shelves of iconic shopping centre, Le Bon Marché, in Paris. The home-grown, locally-made Australian brand, which offers a range of products in aromatherapy, skincare and wellness, was started more than three decades ago, in 1993, by […]

  • Cruise

Ponant’s $2500 flight credit reward for polar expeditions booked by ANZ travellers

Ponant is launching an exclusive offer for Australian and New Zealand travellers, offering flight credits of up to $2500pp across 24 luxury polar expeditions in 2025/26. Aussies and Kiwis will benefit from Ponant’s flight credit offer, when used towards international airfare (conditions apply) when booking their polar expedition and flights. The offer is valid until […]