Originally Posted by
Buster Hyman
Perhaps the "deal" that QF did was as a result of FedEx cancelling? A couple of empty slots, cheaper than list price and...Bobs yer Uncle!
As QF's "new" orders were simply exercising of options granted when the original orders were placed, I'd suggest that the price of the "new" orders had been set (or at least the formula for setting the price was set) when the original order was placed some years ago. Doubtless the terms on the four extra A330s were pretty sweet as well; I'm sure Airbus would rather book four extra deliveries (even if for sod-all revenue) than a written cheque on its P&L account.
But this sort of thing, plus the VS 'deferral', will simply allow a bit of squeeze-up for those who've spent too much to pull out and mean that Emirates' 30th-odd airframe will roll out a bit sooner.
Actually on the spending point, maybe FedEx's board were just at the point of having to decide on whether to invest in new loaders, etc. and they blinked... Anyone have any idea if MD10/11-compatible ground equipment could be used (or modified at little cost) to suit 777Fs?
Frankly I have trouble seeing how such large aircraft suits the parcel market. The big, bulk market, possibly, but parcels??