easyJet delays aircraft order
EasyJet Delays Plane Order Again, Weighs Airbus, Boeing Mix
By Lois Jones
London, April 23 (Bloomberg) -- EasyJet Plc, Europe's No. 2 no-frills airline, said it again postponed a decision on an order for as many as 75 new planes as executives mull whether to operate a fleet with both Boeing Co. and Airbus SAS aircraft.
EasyJet spokesman Toby Nicol said it is now "unlikely'' the airline will reach a decision whether to order new planes from Airbus or Boeing by the time it releases first-half earnings May 8, as previously planned. EasyJet had been scheduled to decide by April 1. EasyJet said it needs more information on the aircraft.
"There's still too much work to do,'' Nicol said. "I'm sure we'll give an updated timeframe on May 8.''
Low-fare airlines usually operate a single plane model to save on parts and training costs. Luton, England-based EasyJet, which operates only Boeings, said in January that it was looking at Boeing 737-700 planes or Airbus A319 aircraft for an order through 2007 which would be worth as much as $4.1 billion.