Chidken wrote
MON already have their longhaul fleet.
What’s that then?? 2 X A330’s a 767 with the A300 occasionally operating.
The 767 is going, the 4 X A300 need replacing sooner rather than later, which leaves only 2 A330’s.
realistic capacity at the moment is 180-190
MON has the A320/1 for that short haul market. MON also has a big market to medium haul destinations. The A320/1 dont have the performance on these routes. MON use the 757 with 228 seats and the A300 with 361 seats on those MH routes.
The 787-8 is a medium / long haul aircraft with a 210-250 capacity (no doubt MON will have the higher figure) That is only 22 seats more than the 757 and 111 seats less than the A300 – MON will be able to fill the 787 easily with the reduction in capacity from the A300.
787s wouldn’t be great in this climate.
With all the delays to the 787 program and the later than expected delivery dates I would say the timing will be spot on for MON.
MONs fleet is old, the excellent MAEL keep them up and running but the hole of the LH/MH fleet - apart from 2 A330’s needs replacing. MON has always had flexibility within their fleet the 787 gives that flexibility.
