Industry Qantas orders more 787-9 Dreamliners
Six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners have been ordered by the Australian airline. The carrier will use the aircraft to rejuvenate its long-haul fleet.
Qantas seeks to retire its last six Boeing 747-400s by the end of 2020. Therefore, the carrier has now announced, that six Boeing 787-9 will replace the aging Jumbojets. According to list prices, the deal is worth $1.68 Billion.
Since 1971, the airline operated scheduled passenger flights with the Boeing 747. Therefore, the decision to phase out the last iconic aircraft by 2020 was not an easy one.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said, that the announcement was an important moment for the national carrier: “This really is the end of one era and the start of another. The jumbo has been the backbone of Qantas International for more than 40 years and we’ve flown almost every type that Boeing built. It’s fitting that its retirement is going to coincide with our centenary in 2020.”
Qantas seeks to be able to utilize its Dreamliners with more efficient aircraft patterns, less maintenance needs and reduced payload restrictions on long routes. The 787-9 burns approximately 20% less fuel.
By the end of 2020, Qantas´ Dreamliner fleet will consist of 14 Boeing 787-9. To date, the carrier took delivery of four aircraft. Four more are expected to arrive by the end of 2018.
Currently, ten Boeing 747-400s are in the fleet. Between July this year and the end of 2020, the aircraft will be phased out. Qantas´ last Boeing 747 was delivered in 2003.
With the new fleet order, Qantas has also announced to invest in an additional 787 simulator.
Qantas Airways is the flag carrier of Australia and operates with 124 aircraft. The airline is headquartered in Sydney and has operating hubs in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Qantas´s aircraft fleet currently consists of 28 Airbus A330, 12 Airbus A380, 70 Boeing 737, 10 Boeing 747-400 and four Boeing 787-9.
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