SAA Accepts Delivery of First New A340-600
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SAA Accepts Delivery of First New A340-600
http://allafrica.com/stories/200301210677.html
SAA Officials to Collect First New Airbus
Business Day (Johannesburg)
January 21, 2003
Posted to the web January 21, 2003
Robyn Chalmers, Editor At Large
Johannesburg
Top officials from national carrier SA Airways (SAA) jetted off to the UK and France last night as part of a trip that will culminate in the handover of the first of its 41-strong new Airbus fleet.
The delivery of the first Airbus will begin SAA's long awaited bid to revitalise its fleet by replacing its entire fleet of Boeings with Airbus aircraft at a list price of $3,5bn.
The new fleet upgrade is the largest transaction in domestic aviation history and is intended to restore the airline's competitiveness, reduce operating costs and ultimately improve SAA's financial position. This will pave the way for a listing of the airline.
Victor Nosi, the executive vicepresident of marketing at SAA, said the trip was a historical one which would see the first new Airbus A340600 touching down at Johannesburg International Airport on Saturday.
The new fleet will consist of nine Airbus A340-600s, six A340-300Es, 11 of the A319-100s and 15 of the A320-200s, with the latter replacing the recently acquired Boeing 737800s. The Boeings will only be replaced when their lease runs out between 2010 and 2012.
SAA CEO Andre Viljoen said the fleet would be acquired via a mixture of outright purchase and leases.
Only the six A340-600s would be bought outright, and SAA would use its extensive cash pile to pay for most of these. The rest were operating leases and SAA would use credit from international agencies to fund the outstanding balance. Viljoen said the new fleet aimed to help attract tourists to the country.
SAA Officials to Collect First New Airbus
Business Day (Johannesburg)
January 21, 2003
Posted to the web January 21, 2003
Robyn Chalmers, Editor At Large
Johannesburg
Top officials from national carrier SA Airways (SAA) jetted off to the UK and France last night as part of a trip that will culminate in the handover of the first of its 41-strong new Airbus fleet.
The delivery of the first Airbus will begin SAA's long awaited bid to revitalise its fleet by replacing its entire fleet of Boeings with Airbus aircraft at a list price of $3,5bn.
The new fleet upgrade is the largest transaction in domestic aviation history and is intended to restore the airline's competitiveness, reduce operating costs and ultimately improve SAA's financial position. This will pave the way for a listing of the airline.
Victor Nosi, the executive vicepresident of marketing at SAA, said the trip was a historical one which would see the first new Airbus A340600 touching down at Johannesburg International Airport on Saturday.
The new fleet will consist of nine Airbus A340-600s, six A340-300Es, 11 of the A319-100s and 15 of the A320-200s, with the latter replacing the recently acquired Boeing 737800s. The Boeings will only be replaced when their lease runs out between 2010 and 2012.
SAA CEO Andre Viljoen said the fleet would be acquired via a mixture of outright purchase and leases.
Only the six A340-600s would be bought outright, and SAA would use its extensive cash pile to pay for most of these. The rest were operating leases and SAA would use credit from international agencies to fund the outstanding balance. Viljoen said the new fleet aimed to help attract tourists to the country.
GunsssR4ever
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Good News
Eischh this is good news ... eventually.
If they have in-flight entertainment - I will change back from flying BA as I got tired of flying the CT - London route on a 747 - 200 and the only time it was a 400 the in flight entertainment did not work !
I pressume we will get a "state of the art" job - even in the "piranah class"
If they have in-flight entertainment - I will change back from flying BA as I got tired of flying the CT - London route on a 747 - 200 and the only time it was a 400 the in flight entertainment did not work !
I pressume we will get a "state of the art" job - even in the "piranah class"
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If they do not have entertaiment for me ... I will stick with BA 's 747 - 400's 
But I am sure they are listening to this call for help 
But I am sure they are listening to this call for help
Last edited by Gunship; 23rd Jan 2003 at 14:07.
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Rumour has it that the aeroplanes will arrive WITHOUT the now-a-days almost standard TV/Telephone/Video Game on every seat. Reason being that these might be "nationalised" as part of the SAA complimentary in flight take-away pack!
GunsssR4ever
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Ok decission made : Sticking with BA then
Come on guys give us good news and tell us you can plug into the net, recharge your lapdog and ... and ... ok ok I will one day be big and sit in the front with you okes like PAXBOY ... in the mean time ... PIRANAH class at the back.. eat and drink as much as possible !
SlapFaan what 's up with this baby ?
Come on guys give us good news and tell us you can plug into the net, recharge your lapdog and ... and ... ok ok I will one day be big and sit in the front with you okes like PAXBOY ... in the mean time ... PIRANAH class at the back.. eat and drink as much as possible !
SlapFaan what 's up with this baby ?
GunsssR4ever
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Maybe preparing for short take off / landings in West Africa ?
Come on guys ... one of you must fly it ! If not - get one on this forum please ... SLAPFAAN waar is jy ?
Come on guys ... one of you must fly it ! If not - get one on this forum please ... SLAPFAAN waar is jy ?
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I have just commanded my first long-haul on one of the (CX)340-600 and I'll give it two thumbs up.
Still slow, but lots of power, lots of fuel and performance in reserve. The TACS is useful only during the loading phase, during the first few turns ("oh, THAT'S where the line is!") but entertainment value only when airborne (that's if you like looking at a planform of the aircraft). The LCD screens are a quantum leap, the fuel system is very different, it's very very long and It's what the 340's should have been all along. I sure wish all our 340's were -600's. Otherwise, a bus is a bus is a bus...
Anyone want to buy some "slightly-used" A340-300's, IFE, 248 seats, one careful owner?
Still slow, but lots of power, lots of fuel and performance in reserve. The TACS is useful only during the loading phase, during the first few turns ("oh, THAT'S where the line is!") but entertainment value only when airborne (that's if you like looking at a planform of the aircraft). The LCD screens are a quantum leap, the fuel system is very different, it's very very long and It's what the 340's should have been all along. I sure wish all our 340's were -600's. Otherwise, a bus is a bus is a bus...
Anyone want to buy some "slightly-used" A340-300's, IFE, 248 seats, one careful owner?
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Lo Cpt Underpants,
Good to hear from you again. Good excuse to be busy : fly !
It sounds like a great aircraft. Good luck with the new command and I wish you many happy hours in the 600 !
Good to hear from you again. Good excuse to be busy : fly !
It sounds like a great aircraft. Good luck with the new command and I wish you many happy hours in the 600 !
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Just got to be good news for SAA. Good product.
Had to laugh when I saw the "smiling jersey's" (Branson) first one at Heathrow. Written on the side of the fuselage " MINES BIGGER THAN YOURS" Guess he was referring to the -600 !!
Had to laugh when I saw the "smiling jersey's" (Branson) first one at Heathrow. Written on the side of the fuselage " MINES BIGGER THAN YOURS" Guess he was referring to the -600 !!
