I guess the one with the most loo''s wins!

I am lucky to fly one of these beasts pretty soon!!!

ketek 400
 

how sad are you !!!
You must not have much more in your life....

the mmf thing should not be a big deal,you could add 333,342 to 332,343,345,346 and thats just the wide body side,but do you really think the 346 are coming?even another delay on the 380 of 3-6moths does not give a good reason to ramp up for the 346s.just my take on it, would love to see the 346s but just dont see it happening

Have to agree with fatbus..

Would love to see the A346, would also make sense on some of the new routes that are rumoured, but indeed, can't see it coming.

BTW, I'm actually interested in the REAL numbers once the 777 starts flying our 345 routes, how much cheaper will they really be? On top of that, why don't we start flying the routes the 345 was intended for, like the real ULH, eg. DXB-AKL direct, or even direct to South America or US West Coast. The 777-200LR would have the range, but what about planning a route without to many alternates for ETOPS? No probs for the A345.

MR8

Late some more
 

EADS confirmed the delay today - see main PPrune forum.

EK sending a delegation for talks. Wonder what the compromise will be?:}

Well guys, looks like more fun in the sandpit. If 346s do arrive, guess What-goes-up and Scooter can run the CCQ course for the rest of us cerebrally challenged proto-pilots.

B748 pax?
 

So was it merely just good timing for Boeing that they were giving presentations on the B747-8 this week to EK management over at EK Engineering?

Heard it was both the freighter AND the passenger ("Interconintental", I think they refer to it as) that was presented in further detail.

Bet Boeing is offering a great deal on them to give the program a real mega boost... just imagine the effect on the A380 if EK cancelled (or more likely) reduced the A380 order and picked up a bunch of pax B748's to go alongside the freighters announced...

would have to check timeframes though, so my thoughts might be a bit array...

It must have been an interesting presentation. I wonder if EK management were asking the Boing guys about the significant delays and quality issues affecting 777er deliveries?? :ouch: Seems that quality has dropped as they are now knocking these out at a whopping rate. What has anyone else heard??

EGGW

Emirates Airlines May Cancel Order for 45 Airbus A380
 

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060921/emira...rbus.html?.v=3


Emirates Airlines May Cancel Order for 45 Airbus A380 Jumbo Jets Since Delivery May Be Delayed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Emirates airlines said Thursday that its order of 45 Airbus A380 jumbo jets was "up in the air," after reports that deliveries of the plane may be delayed.

Spokeswoman Valerie Tan said officials at the Dubai-based airline were discussing whether to go forward with the order.
"Things are up in the air right now. It's hard for us to say. We had such a big order," Tan said by telephone Thursday.

European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. said Thursday that it expects further delays in the troubled Airbus A380 superjumbo program.
The company did not provide details of the cost or timeframe of the delays, except to say that it expects to complete a review of the program in four weeks.

Airbus has previously announced delays to the high-profile program, but has come under strong pressure in recent days after reports suggested further holdups were about to be revealed.

French newspapers reported Wednesday that some inaugural customers may face at least another six-month delay. Wiring problems were a main cause in slowing down the program.

Analysts have warned that more hitches could further shake current and future customers' confidence in the project. Airbus so far has booked 159 orders for the A380 but needs some 300 to break even on the project.
In June, Airbus shocked airlines by revealing its second six-month delay due to production problems. At that time, it said it expected to deliver to launch customer Singapore Airlines Ltd. by the end of 2006. Shares in Airbus parent company EADS fell 2.4 percent to 22.33 euros in Paris trading

380
 

Dude,
Your a little late in that story, as it has been out for about a week now and already been refuted by Emirates.

Kind of difficult to xcl such a large order, and still get A/C to replace those in any kind of expeditous time frame.

Good for rumor control though!!!!

Wondering what may fill in for the delayed EK A380's
 

Any idea's to what may be on the cards for Emirates in regard to plugging the A380 gap. I cannot see T.C. sitting around and letting the all important airline growth stall. Compensation may be paid and cheaper airbuses delivered in the future but what are the options now. Line pilots say they A340-600's are in play again but how many of these are available. Won't Etihad,Qantas and SQ be demanding them as well. If I was Etihad management, I would be buying and parking them in the desert just to catch up with EK market share!

Seriously, though I understand 777 orders are full and with Airbus planning large layoff's what production line will have any excess?

Maybe old 744's or A340-300's ?

Got to go with the 340-6 because they were originally ordered by EK, so are probably still being built. EK would have to get priority simply because they have ordered the most 380s and AB have the most to loose if EK crack the !!!!s with them. I think most departments will be breathing a secret sigh of relief at the delay though.

'Word is' that there are 6 A340-600 production slots up for grabs in the next couple of months from cancelled SAA orders that EK are looking at!

Also a line engineer mentioned the other day that they (engineering) have been told to 'gear up' for their arrival.

As always though in this game, I'll wait to see them on the line with my own eyes before I believe it.

A380
 

Seriously, though I understand 777 orders are full and with Airbus planning large layoff's what production line will have any excess?

Maybe old 744's or A340-300's ?[/quote]

As we don't have the so-called "big picture," no one knows what was in the minds of the higher brass when they chose this A380.
They are, certainly, saving a lot of fuel and making big bucks with the Boeings and they should continue to acquire them. Perhaps, IMHO, they should just cancel this piece of junk and go for more ERs and the 748, (just three years away). The A380 might arrive, eventually; at what cost for the company no one would know. TC and co. cannot be right all the time:E

From a business standpoint, EK needs Airbus and Airbus needs EK. With only one viable manufacturer (Boeing), no deals, no extras, no goodies, no incentives. Think of the deal EK is going to end up with if they continue with the 380 order. The airport is being built for 380s. Plus we are talking a 18-24 month delay over the 20 year lifetime of the aircraft. But who knows, maybe Boeing will give a good deal on the 747-8. See, play one manufacturer against the other.

Ek Looking at 747-800?
 

Article in todays 'Emirates Today' about Ek looking at 748's in place of some of the delayed A380's.
Any Thoughts/opinions?.

They ordered eight (or was it 10?) about two weeks ago for their freighter operation.

Even with the A380 delays, I believe that the 748 still wont be around at that time, so I can't see that they could be considered as a replacement for the late 380's......

A strong rumour that a firm order for 25 A380s will remain and the other 20 converted to options.
Possible 20 (pax) 748s to be introduced at the same time.
Would be able to expand the fleet quicker with 2 separate types.

Makes sense. Never put all your eggs in one basket...Boeing would obviously be happy to jump in and give replace A380 orders with B748...In any case EK will come out again smelling of roses..and money.

In general I agree with you but you also need to look at the delivery schedule in total. While the first A380's will probably still be here before the B747-800 is available, taking some 74's later might help them catch up with their expansion plans. I have no idea if this is how they are thinking, just adding another possible line of reasoning to an interesting topic. I do believe that the truly salient factors affecting possible delays and/or cancellations are probably not being discussed in the press right now.

They need to increase capacity soon :uhoh: so I think they'll grab :} the 346's ASAP to fill the gap (at least partially) until the 380's:ouch: come and probably cancel a part of the big order in favour of some boeing product (747-8 or more 777). :ok:
Keep it coming guys I bet TC is reading these posts to come out with a solution .... ;)

Air NZ was looking to damp lease a couple of their 744s.
With their new interior they could be a good option for stop gap.:E

EK (to my knowledge - apart from the ex-SIA A340s) hasn't taken on other airlines' "hand me downs" and I don't think they'll do so now. I think they'll probably go with A340-600s and no doubt Airbus will make this very sweet for them (not much of a choice).

Does anyone see Airbus having a dog's chance selling the A350 to EK now (particularly with rumours that the 350 itself might be scrapped!) What is the status of this requirement; should we expect to see the 787-10 launch before year end? Think of the deal Boeing would give EK to launch the 747-8I and the 787-10 simultaneously!

This IS a rumour network... so I'll repeat what one of the senior engineers assured me he read in some online trade magazine only yesterday.

He says EK has just ordered 20 747-80s.

Now whether that's a "Chinese whisper" that's grown in the telling from the earlier order of 8 freighter 747-80s or an additional order remains to be seen.

Whichever brand of whale eventually appears on Dubai's ever more crowded tarmac, everyone can rest assured that the canny horse traders at Box 686 will screw every last drop of blood from the stone in compensation and penalties from Aerboos.

And if EK really feel the need for something big and four engined in the meantime, I'd be willing to bet Boeing would fall over themselves to dredge up a few -400's (and crews?) from the Arizona desert at the VERY right price while EK waited for the 747-80 to be delivered.

But I'd be even more willing to bet that Airbus would be willing to offer a considerably sweeter deal to EK to ensure that that will never happen.

As expected the local press is following these posts... 7 days this morning reports almost word by word the news of the 6 a346 as written in our forum attributing it to a not better identified 'Commercial Pilot, Dubai' ... :ooh: Of course the article is not signed (as always) so we'll never know who is responsible of this high piece of journalism..:oh:

Can't see them going for older 747s 200,300, or 400 series. They are just to old and thirsty in comparison to the 777, 340-600 or 747-800. Availabillity of 777 is a problem and the 747-800 has not been built yet and who knows what problems Boeing may have with their build program.
EK obviously still want the big bus (they did order 45 afterall) so it's a matter of extracting compensation and replacement aircraft out of AB.
If the 340-600s are still available EK will have to go for them, minimal training and minimal spares and engineering equipment will be required etc

I thought the same thing reading 7 Days this morning, high quality research !
I agree, if the A346's are available it would be the best option. As to compensation I have heard some rumours that Dubai may be seriously attempting to get some share of the manufactoring or assembly of new airbus types as part of their newly launched, big budget aerospace venture.
The option of cancelling half the orders and taking 777's or 748's when they come on line also has credit. One reason being the new terminal will be largely under utilised with A330,s parked at A380 gates.
Whatever happens you can rest assured there will be plenty of dispensations offered by the DGCA.:oh:

If Airbus is forced into large compensation claims and giving aircraft away then why stay in business.
If the 350 is scrapped then the future of Airbus is grim , they may actally declare bankrupt and stop manufacturing...

It's all a conspiracy...Airbus don't want to be seen to lose face by letting EK cancel their A346 orders....:} Nahh...but you never know..

" All will become clear " one way or another...


May we continue to live in interesting times..

What is the A340-600 like in service with regard to economics,comfort and reliability ? I am told that with the hold full of cargo the passengers are just a bonus. Can anybody confirm this ?

Why would anybody want Avro 748's ??:confused:

Sorry mate just a joke.......:)

We're Famous!
 

I see that 7 Days has finally decided to use pprune as a source of unimpeachable fact, they are directly quoting off this thread today!

"That's not going to happen as quickly as hoped but a commercial pilot (!) in Dubai said "There are six unfilled Airbus A340-600 production slots available over the next couple of months..."

"An engineer at [Dubai] airport mentioned that his department had been told to 'gear up' for the arrival of these planes,"

It's now in the papers so the rumour about the rumour must be true.

TOD

Rolls Royce has suspended work on engines for the A380 (source CNN).. Ouch.. Is this big airplane ever going to happen? :rolleyes:

At the end of the day look at the at the big picture... we will still be doing 90-100 hrs a month..... does it really make a difference what type of metal tube we fly. Life stlye means more so keep up the sick days or the over time which ever floats your boat..

Well it would probably mean a lot for the airbus fos who s future is unknown.

There future is not uncertain at all. The FOs are FOs until they become Captains and that will take longer now. What is uncertain about that? If they do not wish to stay because they are having to wait longer, then they can leave. This is fact.

Your A nice ++++ ekpilot , they didnt choose to go on it the company put them there while there lucky mates on the 777 get 3 year commands. You should leave ****head.

Obviously EK pilot is one of the morons in the left that we have to endure from time to time.

It may be an advantage to the AB guys as there isn't going to be the availablity of crew for the 346....guys already hitting the 900hrs mark and off the roster for a month.

Hang on mate! Leave me out of this, that was posted by ekpilot, not EK Pilot!

But before you go and jump down his throat, he's actually telling the truth, but rather tactlessly. There were no guarentees of command here, just a perception that things would move swiftly along and you'd all get your turn. With the unforeseen delays of the A380, can EK be held accountable in this case? If so, what alternative career plans can they give the disadvantaged? Maybe you should use this opportunity to start communicating with the people that can make a difference to your lives, because sure as hell ekpilot can't.

My humblest apologies ol son.. EK Pilot

I for one have never expected a command earlier or even at the 3 year mark, it was never said that I would get one at 3 years when I started, only that I must complete 3years before being eligible. So wait I will, and if the delay creates a few opportunities then that will be great for those that are on the cusp of 3 years.

But.... stupid statements like what "ekpilot" makes are either a wind up or just pure ignorance....or is that arrogance... get those two confused with some of the lefties sometime.

Caynine and co
Right attitude. As previously mentioned ad nauseum there is no mention of 3 years to command anywhere, especially in your contract (right or wrong). The fact is the company is going to do it the cheapest way for them, whether we like it or not - (mostly not) and a group are going to be p.....d off by it. For those who have been around a little longer will remember that a few years ago the airbus fleet was expanding and the boeing fleet static. The boeing guys were waiting longer for their commands than their airbus colleagues. Bottom line is just wait your turn and it will happen. If you are going to go screaming at the office staff and demanding commands etc it will not happen. Show your maturity and professionalism. The topic of DEC's, well...... None of us agree with the principle - it is WRONG. However, be angry with the company, not the individual. None of us know their personal circumstances and if you were in their shoes, you would also take the job. I also can't believe that some of you are naive enough to rant on about DEC's but when you leave emirates one day will demand to join a new company as an F/O because you don't want to disadvantage anyone in your new company who may have been waiting for a command? To all of you who are due for command I truly hope it happens soon.
Keep the blue side up fellas........................
jumbo