Originally Posted by
brian_dromey
Do we know if this was an owned or leased? If its a leased aircraft the decision to pay, or not to pay, for maintenance to be completed will be the lessor. One would assume they want their asset back. The A332 isn't massively desirable, the A333 is preferred. With new generation 787 and A350 now coming on-line in significant numbers and rumors that Boeing has a significant number of potential 787-9 white-tails these aircraft may be worth more as parts, than in one piece, a number of young 737-700s and A319s have been scrapped for parts. Strange but true.
Hi brian_dromey
I wouldn't be so sure that a 332 even of this vintage wouldn't be so desirable. There isn't huge availability of 330's on the market (agreed that 333 is far more desirable), besides repayments on a lease on a second hand 330 could be in the range of 25% of the ongoing cost of a new 787/350. Not all carriers are well placed to access new machines either. Finally to say the case for a new 787/350 stacks up on longer sectors, probably in excess of 8/9 hours. Aer Lingus is a good case in point. They ditched 350 orders in favour of 330 family. In their case while 333 is preferred, the 332 is a great plane for new and developing routes.