Fresh from my inbox, more good news for all qualified personnel!!!!
Come on you guys. Stop the grumbling and vote with your feet. By leaving for greener pastures,browner sands or whatever, you'll give your families better education etc, albeit different life and probably a pay rise for others who prefer to stay. It'll be a win/win situation for everyone. What are you waiting for?? Up the quals, tidy up your logbooks and get ready. Luck is when preps meet opportunity. Make your own.
Qantas to buy up to 188 aircraft
Qantas has handed down its biggest ever aircraft order, buying up to 188 narrow body aircraft for short haul flights in a move that will almost double its fleet.
The airline said the funding of the purchases won't affect its investment grade credit rating.
The new aircraft will be used to defend Qantas' minimum 65 per cent share of the Australian domestic market and to expand low cost services to South East Asia.
The plan also involves Jetstar opening new regional aviation bases in both Darwin and Perth over the next two years to serve fast growing Asian markets.
Most of the new aircraft will be Boeing 737-800s, and Airbus A320s.
The order also includes larger A321 aircraft, which will have up to 213 seats, compared with 177 on an A320 in a Jetstar single-class configuration.
The first aircraft to arrive in February will be an A321.
"We expect to take at least 17 of those aircraft to expand Jetstar's opportunities in its fastest growing markets," chief executive Geoff Dixon said.
Qantas will acquire 68 A320/A321 aircraft and has 40 options and purchase rights.
It will also buy 31 B737-800 aircraft, and has 49 options and purchase rights.
"The firm aircraft will be delivered over a six year period, while options secured additional delivery slots through to 2017," Qantas said.
Mr Dixon said: "This decision, together with existing A380 and B787 fleet commitments, secures an order stream for next generation aircraft that will allow the group to meet long term demand growth and replace older aircraft over the next decade.
"The plan provides maximum flexibility to respond to changes in the market and competitive situation.
"In an environment where our customers have more options than ever before, this investment will ensure that Qantas and Jetstar continue to provide customers with superior network reach, choice and product."
He said some of the Airbus aircraft would also be used to supply capacity to the group's Asian associates.
Qantas is preparing to receive its first superjumbo A380 aircraft in August 2008.
Jetstar will later launch the B787 Dreamliner to underpin the expansion of its low cost international services.
"We are confident that the orders we have placed provide the right aircraft, with the right product and right economics to ensure the continued success of Qantas and Jetstar both domestically and internationally," Mr Dixon said.
AAP
Qatar Airways Fleet
Qatar Airways flies one of the youngest fleets in the skies. Our fleet expansion is ongoing with a signed deal of $1.2 billion for two Airbus A380 "super jumbos" that will be delivered in 2009. We plan to more than double our fleet size to 110 aircraft by 2015. As part of our commitment to innovation and providing you with the very best, we have built a reputation of introducing new aircraft into our fleet and offer you the latest in-flight services.
In September 2006 Qatar Airways became the launch customer of the Airbus A340-600 High Gross Weight aircraft. Innovative onboard features such as dedicated First and Business Class lounges for passengers travelling in the premium cabins are specially designed for you to unwind and relax.
Qatar Airways will add 22 Boeing 777s to it's growing fleet starting November 2007 with deliveries extending out to mid-2010.
We have also become the first international airline in the world to introduce live digital satellite TV beamed direct to every passenger on their individual seatback TV systems at 35,000 feet
Etihad plans order of 'at least' 20-25 aircraft
Etihad Airways will issue an RFP next year for an aircraft order "of a good size," CEO James Hogan revealed to
ATWOnline at the Arab Air Carriers Organization AGM in Damascus. The order will be for both short- and long-haul types and will be for "at least 20-25 aircraft," he said without revealing further details. "The order will cover in part the recycle needs of our current fleet and in part incremental requirements," he noted.
Hogan added that it is premature to conclude if Etihad will move toward an all-Airbus fleet. Its widebody fleet currently comprises 12 A330-200s, six A340s, five 777-300ERs and one 767-300. It just added its first three wet-leased A320s as part of a strategy to create regional connectivity through its Abu Dhabi hub feeding into its long-haul network. Three more A320s are expected by the end of the 2008 first quarter. In June it placed an order for four A340-600s, five A330 passenger aircraft and three A330 freighters.
Separately, Etihad announced it carried more than 3.3 million passengers during the first nine months of 2007 compared to 1.95 million for the same period in 2006, an increase of 70%. Load factor averaged 75% across its network of 44 destinations. It has launched eight new routes in 2007: Sydney, Brisbane, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Milan and Dublin. It will add its 45th destination on Oct. 28 with the launch of flights to Kathmand
See what I mean!!!!.
Everyday legacy airlines and LCCs expand rapidly. The real reason why airplanes fly is not the high/low pressure over the wing stuff or Newton's law of motion. It's $$$ and sense! Airline economics have changed and CEOs CFOs MDs GMs are getting greedier and smarter, whilst the travelling public, including yours and my families like cheap fares. Cheaper than ID90 and firms seats!! Back packers rule!!!!
As they expand, the number of flight deck seats expand too. Shorter time pub crawling to "four bars".
Ryan Air and South West airlines have paved way for others to emulate. I understand their pilots are among the highest paid. So, life ain't too bad. Having said that, I'm sure some legacy carriers will still fly increased pool of premium business pax including others with high disposable income.
So, hello MAS, how is it? It's not all doom and gloom, quite sunny actually, jez have to go play outside.
