Qantas Fleet Order Announcement - Just another Con-Job?

[Dambuster]

Have read about a pending order for the white rat and the board-members claiming to make a big announcement today.

Well, the board meeting has come and went and no announcement.
Is this going to be like the Ansett Fleet announcement that never ever came?

If and when will Ms Jackson and Mr Dixon make this supposed announcement?

Sounds like it could be all smoke and mirrors....the QAN share price slid by 1% today.

[ur2]

Was not going to be a fleet announcement today. Just recommendations to the board for consideration.
I believe last min lobbying by Boeing and Airbus have caused a delay in putting those recommendation to the QF board so they can re crunch the numbers.

[planemad2]

Elsewhere in the world, Qantas could announce - at any time now - whether it's going to order long-range jets from Boeing or Airbus.

Various news reports from Australia say an announcement on the order, which could be as big as 100 jets and worth $15 billion, will come before the Australian stock market starts trading Thursday morning, which would be mid-day today here in Seattle.

Pundits say Boeing's almost a lock to sell 20 or 30 777s to Qantas, particularly since rising fuel costs have made less-efficient Airbus A340s less appealing.

The contest between Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s is closer, however, and there's some speculation that Qantas may split that portion of the order, buying some A350s for its proposed new low-cost airline, JetStar, while adding 787s to its mainline Qantas fleet.

Both Boeing and Airbus were making 11th-hour pitches, according to Australian news reports on Tuesday.

[Dambuster]

Planemad2:

Qantas could announce - at any time now

So just how long will they let the manufacturers duel it out amongst themselves?

At the rate it takes Qantas to make a decision they will be way behind the eight-ball when other operators will be operating more efficient and passenger appealing machines over the same route.

Every other major airline seems to operate the B777 successfully but QF vascillates like a pack of old hens.

Dont hold your breath fellas.

[numbskull]

Typical Qantas management style.

They have either;

1) made their decision and won't tell anyone for their own ulterior motives - eg still trying to work out how operate new a/c and pay people less to fly/fix/operate them.

or

2)They are too busy trying to screw the last extracts out of Boeing/Airbus. (probably to the point where they dont want to know us in future).

Qantas is a large percentage of the aviation industry in Australia and is run by clowns who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DirectAnywhere]

Should answer some questions....or create more!!

From The Australian, 8th December

Qantas holds off on fleet purchase

QANTAS is believed to have ended a marathon board meeting yesterday without finalising its $15-20 billion fleet plans.

Late revisions by manufacturers Boeing and Airbus reportedly left the board unable to sign off on a deal yesterday, and an announcement was believed to be imminent.

The campaign to secure the Qantas business has been described as the closest fought in the airline's history and is attracting interest from around the world.

The order adds to the $18 billion that Qantas is already spending on fleet modernisation (up to the year 2010) and will be funded out of operating cash flow.

Qantas is keen to secure "hub-busting aircraft" that will allow it to operate non-stop flights on long routes to Europe and the US, possibly including the holy grail of London-Sydney.

At the same time, it needs the smaller, fuel-efficient new aircraft to keep costs down on international routes and to remain competitive.

The fight to get into Qantas books sees Boeing's ultra-long-range 777-200LR pitted against Airbus's A340-500 and the fuel-efficient A350 squaring up to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.

Some Qantas insiders believe that Boeing will get the lion's share of the order, but concede it is also possible the airline will opt for planes from both manufacturers, much as it did with its $18 billion order in 2000.

The fleet decision is closely linked to the airline's plans to take its low-cost offshoot, Jetstar, international.

Although a Qantas spokeswoman was unable to comment on the Jetstar proposal, the board is likely to have given the concept the green light.

Jetstar International could ultimately account for as much as 20 per cent of the Qantas Group's international flying, according to Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon.

The two-class carrier would be the world's first global low-cost carrier, aiming at international routes within 10 hours of Australia that are not viable for the mainline operation.

Qantas would like to start operating the new airline to leisure destinations - as well as on routes from which Qantas itself has withdrawn in recent years - by the end of next year.

Over the new fleet, one school of thought is that Qantas may decide between the A350 and the 787 to safeguard available manufacturing slots, but deferring a decision on the bigger aircraft.

The 787, due to enter service in 2008, and the A350, scheduled to start flying in 2010, have both been attracting keen interest from airlines wanting to cut operating costs.

[QFinsider]

Well well well...

How much do these clowns get paid?
Our airline used to be an innovator at this rate the 777 will be yesterday's aircraft by the time we get it...

Guess they are worried about making a "Decision" I think the article in the AFR about "short-term-ism sums this bunch of tools up nicely. So much easier to cost cut than invest and grow, particularly when you are worried about this year's bonus. :mad: