Air Malta hopes to move forward with its aircraft re-equipment plans by the end of 1998, as it ponders a switch to a one-manufacturer fleet.
The airline operates a mixed fleet of seven aircraft, including two Boeing 737-200s, three 737-300s and two Airbus A320s. Four Aero International (Regional) RJ70s acquired in the early 1990s are being transferred to its Italian sister airline, Azzurraair, and the airline is seeking to replace them with additional 737-300s on lease.
"We are studying our long-term fleet options, which could see us going to an all-Boeing or all-Airbus fleet, or retaining a mixed fleet," says Air Malta head of fleet planning John Zammit, as the Next Generation 737 and A320 family are evaluated. He envisages potential orders for up to ten aircraft.
Zammit denies rumours that a decision has already been taken to order Boeing 737-600/700s and phase out the A320s, saying that plans are "under study" and no decision has been taken. "We have no specific timeframe for the decision," Zammit says, although he adds that he expects that the fleet plan will be "more concrete" before the end of the year.
He says that the airline is seeking to lease additional 737-300s in the short term, rather than A320 family aircraft, because of their better price and availability, but this is not necessarily an indicator of any long-term strategy.
Source: Flight International
