BA and Airbus Orders
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The Heathrow A319's have all been delivered roughly on schedule. I think that there are about 21 at LHR.
First A320 with IAE engines due in Jan 2002.
Nobody seems to know about the A318's!
First A320 with IAE engines due in Jan 2002.
Nobody seems to know about the A318's!
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Isn't there another big BA Regional-Jet order in the pipeline together with Qantas for something sized like Embraer's 170 as well? Like around 100 a/c total. (pre 9-11 figure) Any news on that please?
Well I guess there's one manufacturer out of the running now anyway...pity as it would have kept the line at Woodford going for years (and kept a lot of British workers in jobs)
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Indeed Wycombe,
There were rumours of a mass RJX operation - mainly at LGW - although discussions allegedly didn't go far and that was pre Sept. 11th.
The best of luck to all affected by the loss of the RJ/X programme.
There were rumours of a mass RJX operation - mainly at LGW - although discussions allegedly didn't go far and that was pre Sept. 11th.
The best of luck to all affected by the loss of the RJ/X programme.
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As far as I know, the BA/QF regional jet order is on hold. I suspect the decision not to go ahead with the order at this time may well have been the straw that broke the RJX's back (not to say that the RJX would have won). Embraer is obviously very keen for this order. The 86-seat Embraer 175 variant they launched recently seems tailor-made for BA's requested specs.
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Whilst the actual ordering of the newer and larger jet for CitiExpress seems to be on hold, it seems that there is still work going on in the background. One of the ex-Brymon Embraer boys, in fact previously the fleet technical manager or some such has been appointed with a grand title I can't remember. His job description however was to look at, evaluate and introduce the new type. Gossip we've heard around the bases is that the Embraer 170/190 seem to be the favoured option but we'll be the last to hear the final result! 
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Believe they have to give six months notice to cancel deliveries/orders/options economically so that would mean accepting everything scheduled for delivery up to end of March 02.
Could be wrong though.
Could be wrong though.
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I have heard from a few sources, the A318 certification is likely to be delayed. Whether BA wants to defer the A318 order or not, BA will likely receive the A318 later than originally anticipated.
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From a line pilots perspective... the 318 has always had the smell of having been agreed to in a weak moment. Plenty of cheap and cheerful equipment was already in place to fly any regional operation, so methinks there was some back-door Airbus-led discounts given to get the mini-minibus on the marketplace.
What BA really need is a medium-high density 757 replacement (assuming you accept the argument that he 757 has to go... read into that what you will) in other words, a few 321's to cover the shuttle routes at peak times and the high yield European stuff, which we are still doing very well on, despite the bad-mouthing in here and elsewhere.
There were strong rumours flying around about some deferred GB 321's coming the mainline way recently, but nothing concrete.
£6
What BA really need is a medium-high density 757 replacement (assuming you accept the argument that he 757 has to go... read into that what you will) in other words, a few 321's to cover the shuttle routes at peak times and the high yield European stuff, which we are still doing very well on, despite the bad-mouthing in here and elsewhere.
There were strong rumours flying around about some deferred GB 321's coming the mainline way recently, but nothing concrete.
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When you have an airframer (Airbus) who wants to beat its competitor (Boeing) in every front, and an engine company (P&W) who is (was) desperately trying to revive its commercial operation, this is the perfect scenario for airlines to bargain for the best possible price.
The only merit I see the A318 has over other 100 seaters is its commonality with the larger A320 family members (but the B737-600 has the same advantage). Other than that, it's a very uneconomical, over-engineered 100 seaters. P&W was foolish to be pulled into this project. They ended up with an engine that won't have much a future. Worst of all, Airbus sold them out at the end. Not only did Airbus offer the CFM engine on the A318 at Air France's insistence, Airbus also refused to consider the PW8000 for the A320 family around 2005 time frame.
However, for airlines like BA, Frontier, Air China, etc., probably got the best deals one could possibly get under the sun. I am afraid they will get what they have paid for. That is, not a very good plane and not a very good engine. The PW6000 could very well be the last commercial engine P&W will build under its own name.
The only merit I see the A318 has over other 100 seaters is its commonality with the larger A320 family members (but the B737-600 has the same advantage). Other than that, it's a very uneconomical, over-engineered 100 seaters. P&W was foolish to be pulled into this project. They ended up with an engine that won't have much a future. Worst of all, Airbus sold them out at the end. Not only did Airbus offer the CFM engine on the A318 at Air France's insistence, Airbus also refused to consider the PW8000 for the A320 family around 2005 time frame.
However, for airlines like BA, Frontier, Air China, etc., probably got the best deals one could possibly get under the sun. I am afraid they will get what they have paid for. That is, not a very good plane and not a very good engine. The PW6000 could very well be the last commercial engine P&W will build under its own name.
I was interested to read that the Embraer is the supposed favourite for the regional order. We in Oz have been told the program is on hold for 3 months. Management's last update to troops was thus: Equal 1st Do 728/928, Embaer 190/195, Distant 3rd RJX family. According to Tech Pilot assigned to program,
the Dornier was the better aeroplane but expensive, Embraer not bad, but built to a price and needing some improvement.
the Dornier was the better aeroplane but expensive, Embraer not bad, but built to a price and needing some improvement.
