Originally Posted by
AerialPerspective
I agree, I fully expect that they will order the appropriate version of the 777 which at this time WILL be the right aeroplane. It will replace the A380s eventually and will leave QF in time with a 777/787/737 fleet with perhaps the 737 giving way so that they'll end up with a 777/787/797 fleet eventually. Let Jetstar have the plastic, disposable rubbish (330s/321s/320s) and keep QF all Boeing.
Any reputable study of the airline industry highlights the benefits of a streamlined fleet.
There are endless economies of scale, from training, consumables and spare parts to corporate knowledge.
The Qantas fleet was at privatisation the youngest in IATA at 6.2 years. Boeing all the way along the line.
The allowed a lot of latitude for senior management to put their feet up.
The story often regaled is that QF had decided to switch to Airbus with a combined fleet of A320, A330 and the yet to be designated A3XX.
That the events of September 11, 2001 intervened and provided a 738 option at bargain basement prices may be in part a result of the confused fleet metrics.
When the merry band of American consultants descended on Coward Street, enthralling their audience with tales of cost cutting, the seed of JQ was probably sown.
Clearly, rather than repainting the taxpayer funded legacy fleet and calling it a
Qantas lite, the decision was made, likely with solely an industrial focus to put a big firewall between their 'rival work forces' and establish a new fleet.
That Little Napoleon is hell bent on 're-fleeting' JQ with an a new fleet when their fleet age averages 8.3 years and flying 50% of QF's ASK yields only 25% of the revenue, while QF languishes with no aircraft orders and a fleet age approaching 11 years is perhaps reflection of what motivates decision making. It certainly isn't economics or return on invested capital.
Ironically, Little Napoleon may well attempt to sell this emerging engine issue on the A350 as evidence of his unique insights: He didn't order aircraft as he knew this was a likely issue. Rather like claiming the fuel hedge and cost savings from a falling fuel price in FY15 were somehow all his doing!