Virgin may lease 10 Ansett A320s
Thurs "The West Australian"
Virgin may lease 10 Ansett A320 jets By Geoffrey Thomas VIRGIN Blue is looking at leasing some of Ansett's A320 jets as part of a $4 billion overhaul of its fleet to meet aggressive expansion plans, including international flights. Virgin Blue's David Huttner said yesterday the airline was examining a proposal from Airbus Industrie, backed by Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE), for an order for 40 Airbus A320 aircraft to replace its 16 Boeing 737s. Mr Huttner said if the airline chose Airbus it would immediately lease up to 10 A320s from Ansett's administrator for up to six months while the new A320s were being delivered. These aircraft were used to operate Ansett Mark II till late in February and are still operational, unlike Ansett's 737 fleet, some of which have been mothballed or returned to owners. Representatives from Airbus and SALE, in which Singapore Airlines has a 35 per cent stake, met Virgin Blue executives in Brisbane on Tuesday and a decision will be made within 10 days. The A320s would replace Virgin Blue's Boeing 737 fleet and be used to meet expansion plans that include flights to New Zealand, Fiji and Bali. Boeing is fighting to retain Virgin Blue's business but has problems with availability of aircraft after winning large orders from Qantas and Ireland's Ryanair for up to 225 Boeing 737s. Virgin Blue's dilemma is that buying the A320 requires a sizeable investment in expensive ground-handling equipment to unload baggage and cargo. For this reason Ansett used A320s only on major routes and 737s, which don't require the same equipment, were operated to smaller centres such as Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Broome. Offsetting this is the availability of A320 ground handling equipment and spares from Ansett, along with a pool of pilots, cabin crew and ground engineers qualified on the A320. Another important consideration is that the Ansett A320s are certified for extended over-water flights to Bali, Fiji and New Zealand. Virgin Blue has been looking at gaining similar approval for its 737s but it is an expensive and time-consuming process. The routes to other countries are part of longer term overseas plans made possible after Australian-owned Patrick Corporation bought 50 per cent of Virgin Blue last month. Under international air service agreements, an airline must be 50 per cent Australian owned for it to gain permission to fly overseas routes. Analysts suggest that Singapore Airlines, which saved Virgin Atlantic from collapse late last year with various financial guarantees, is yet to play its hand in Virgin Blue's expansion. Singapore Airlines has a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic, and it wants a significant presence in Australia with a similar styled product to attract business travellers. |
"Boeing is fighting to retain Virgin Blue's business but has problems with availability of aircraft after winning large orders from Qantas and Ireland's Ryanair for up to 225 Boeing 737s." "The Seattle manufacturer decreased production of the 737 from 28 a month to 14 after last year's terrorist attacks, which has put pressure on delivery positions." many orders. Wirraway Love those ng 737s |
Any word yet?
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Ravensdale
Richard Branson is due this week and if you believe what you read, we should have the answer by no later than Sunday or Monday. Wirraway |
The Qantas 737's are not Boeing orders, they are unwanted American Airlines aircraft leased to QF for a few years. QF has not published what will come after them when they are returned at the end of the lease period??????
Virgin is a big enough company that can get their way with Boeing if required. I don't think (but I could be wrong) available slots is a factor. I think it is more likely to be hard bargaining in a buyers market. Have a nice day |
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