Airbus wins bulk of Qantas deal

Paul Phelan/CAIRNS Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC

Airbus Industrie has shattered Boeing's long monopoly at Qantas, taking the bulk of the airline's $4.6 billion order for new widebodies. The Australian carrier has placed the largest order to date for the A3XX, with seven A330-200s and six larger -300s.

Qantas is believed to have taken options for up to 12 additional A3XXs, and discussing an even larger requirement for more A330s as part of its 10-year strategic plan. Qantas' long awaited A3XX order moves the programme closer to a formal launch, which is expected by the end of this year or early next.

Qantas plans to take delivery of the A330s in 2002-5 to replace Boeing 747 "Classics" and older Boeing 767-200s on medium-haul regional international and boost capacity on several slot constrained domestic routes. The 524-seat A3XXs will follow between 2006 and 2011 to meet projected traffic growth on its key long-haul routes from the east coast to the USA and on the second stage of the 'Kangaroo routes' from Asia to Europe.

Boeing won a consolation prize in the form of an order for six 747-400X, launching the increased gross weight version which is now dubbed -400LR. The new 747s will arrive in 2002-6, providing capacity for interim growth on the high-frequency, long-haul and payload-range critical routes prior to the first A3XX deliveries, as well as insurance against the A3XX delivery date slipping.

Powerplant suppliers are lining up ahead of engine selection for the three types early next year. R-R is looking to consolidate the Trent 900's pole position on the A3XX, after its recent Singapore Airlines success, packaging its offer with the Trent 700 and improved RB211-524H8-T for the A330 and the 747-400X respectively.

The Engine Alliance is competing with the GP7200 on the A3XX, but anti-trust regulations will require Alliance partners, Pratt & Whitney (P&W), and General Electric, to bid the PW4000 and CF6-80E1 separately on the A330.

Qantas furthermore is not inviting P&W to tender for the 747-400X, given that the airline's existing 747 fleet is already powered by a mix of RB211s and CF6s.

The airline needs more A330s longer-term, and its deal with Qantas includes provision for a large number of fixed and floating options. The A3XX/A330 order also positions Airbus to compete for Qantas' next requirement in 2003-4 for a new narrowbody aircraft to replace its Boeing 737-300/400 fleet.

The Australian carrier's A3XX order increases firm commitments for the aircraft to 44, plus 36 options, leaving it only six aircraft shy of the manufacturer's launch threshold of 50 orders.

Attention now moves to Virgin Atlantic which is close to finalising an order for six A3XXs, leveraging on partner Singapore Airlines' larger launch deal .The A3XX Freighter is also being assessed by FedEx and Lufthansa Cargo.

Source: Flight International