Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
ASIANA AIRLINES of South Korea is near to selecting a new 150- to 180-seat passenger jet-airliner, as the first step in a wider fleet-modernisation programme.
The airline has narrowed its choice to the Airbus Industrie A321 and rival Boeing 737-800. The two manufacturers are expected to submit their best and final offers by the end of January.
A revised request for proposals (RFP) issued in late 1995 calls for pricing and delivery on six firm orders and 12 options. Asiana had originally stated a requirement for 15 firm and nine options, but has since revised its initial order.
According to a local industry source, the competition is developing into "...quite a fierce fight". Airbus is trying to make up for recent setbacks in Singapore and Malaysia, while Boeing is determined to maintain its position as sole aircraft supplier to Asiana.
Boeing chairman Frank Shrontz and Airbus managing director Jean Pierson have scheduled visits to Seoul for 31 January and 21 February, respectively, in a last-ditch lobbying effort.
Winning the 150-seater deal is seen as crucial to securing a much larger Asiana order for longer-range wide-body aircraft. Boeing and Airbus are likely to offer package pricing to meet both narrow and wide-body requirements.
Asiana has asked Airbus to tender on 15 A330/340s and a similar number of options. Boeing is competing with the larger-capacity 777, with an offer of nine aircraft and 11 options. The aircraft are wanted to replace the airline's Boeing 767s, on medium- and lower-capacity long-range routes.
An RFP was also sent late in 1995 to General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce for pricing on their GE90 and CFM56-3; PW4168 and PW4084; and Trent 800 and 700 engines. The CFM56 is also being offered for the 737-800, but GE faces competition for the A321 deal from International Aero Engines, with the V2500.
Source: Flight International
