By year's end?
That's less than 6 months away. I'm skeptical of such a number joining within such a short time frame. Unless it was a complete ACMI package, it's fair to ask how anyone would go from go-to-whoa getting a new type integrated - training techies and CC, maint, deciding configs & interiors... I think there's rather more than could be done in less than 6 months. Manufacturing lead times for things other than the airframes, if nothing else, would seem to be too tight.
One or two chartered airframes can happen and has been done before, but actually bringing 6 of a new type into the fleet... six months is awfully quick. I hope we do see long thin Rats but 6 months...
OK, let's throw it open - could it be done? How long after order did the 330s turn up?
Farnborough kicks off on Monday week (14th) - I guess we could hear something then (if it is going to happen).