SQ B777LR to replace A345??

[Zones]

From www.justplanes.com:

Singapore considers 777-200LR
Singapore Airlines is considering replacing Airbus A340-500s on its long range routes between Singapore and Los Angeles and New York with the soon to be built Boeing 777-200LR due out in 2005 and in service in early 2006.

Anyone 'in the know' have any clues as to why this news might be true? Problems with the A345?

I heard from several sources (even here on pp) that several airlines weren't exactly pleased with their actual 345/346 performance against what was promised (eg CX). Is this another one?

Or just journo hype?

[Torquelink]

SQ have an all Boeing fleet apart from the five A345s (with A380s on order). They've just ordered a bunch of B777-300ERs to add to their existing B777-200ER fleet so it would make sense to add another, virtually identical (to the -300ER), family member to undertake the thin ultra longhaul routes - especially as it has even greater range than the A345 and burns a lot less fuel. Watch this space for Boeing to trade in the A345s just as they did with SQ's entire 17-strong A343 fleet a few years ago!

:D

[akerosid]

With EK anxious to get more A345s and a newly resurgent AC also looking to expand, I doubt if they'll have much trouble finding new homes for these aircraft.

I think the move to an all 777 (mid-size) fleet is almost inevitable. The only question is when, so ...

When is the first 777LR entering service? Next year?

[Torquelink]

First flight is late next year, I think, with service entry in 2006.