PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
American Airlines is in negotiations with Boeing over the possible return of all 30 former TWA 717 twinjets, which it is in the process of progressively grounding, as part of a wide reaching proposed deal with the manufacturer on the future size and composition of the carrier's fleet.
American refuses to comment on the fate of the 717 fleet other than to say "we're in the final stages of reaching a broad fleet plan agreement with Boeing". The Seattle-based company, which leases the bulk of the type to American, confirms it is holding talks with the airline "in the context of a broader fleet examination".
Under an earlier deal struck with Boeing when TWA was acquired by American, the airline has the right to begin returning the leased aircraft to Boeing Capital at the rate of two a month from October this year. However, American has already parked 18 aircraft as the result of furloughing 290 of its most junior pilots since September and transferring other more senior aircrew to the Boeing MD-80 fleet.
There is strong suspicion among the airline's pilots that the parking is a prelude to quickly disposing of the 717 fleet altogether. They point out that, with the latest announced loss of 61 pilots, some 13% of former TWA crews are furloughed.
The 717 is by far the smallest fleet in the combined American and TWA line-up of more than 881 aircraft and overlaps with the much larger fleet of similar-sized Fokker 100s. Originally TWA ordered 50 717s but this was cut to 30 at the time of the merger.
American has said it wants to simplify the range of different types of aircraft, the bulk of which is comprised of Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, Fokker 100s and MD-80s, and has already announced plans to reduce the total fleet to 854 aircraft by the end of the year.
There has been some speculation American may put its 717s into a west coast shuttle operation.
Although Boeing recently recommitted to continued production of the 717 at a reduced rate, doubts remain about the programme's long-term future. The Long Beach plant has sold 137 jets, but is already building the 100th. Air Tran continues to take delivery of the aircraft at a rate of one per month, but the availability of surplus American aircraft could distract it from ordering any more beyond the 53 already committed to. The aircraft could also offer Midwest Express an alternative to finalising an order for new 717s.
Source: Flight International
