NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Carrier expected to assess A330/A340 and 777 variants as it seeks to replace 767s
Air New Zealand (ANZ) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to Airbus and Boeing covering widebody replacements for its Boeing 767s. Bids are due in during the first half of January, say industry sources.
The carrier confirms that an RFP has been issued to the two manufacturers, although it does not say exactly how many aircraft will be sought. ANZ is building an Airbus A320-based narrowbody fleet, largely to replace Boeing 737-300s, but also to replace some of its 767s, which suggests that fewer than 12 aircraft may be required.
ANZ's 767 fleet comprises three -200ERs and nine -300ERs, many of them leased, all powered by General Electric CF6 engines. It wants to start replacing them from 2006, and variants of the Airbus A330/A340 and Boeing 777 will be evaluated in the competition. Requests for information were earlier sent to the two manufacturers, but the assessments have now moved to the formal RFP stage.
ANZ uses its 767s for both medium- and long-haul services. It typically acquires aircraft through a mix of lease and purchase arrangements, and is expected to continue with this practice when the new widebody orders are placed.
Earlier this year ANZ began evaluating the A340-600 and 777-300ER as potential Boeing 747-400 replacements, although no RFPs were issued. At the time, ANZ was considering replacing some or all of its eight 747-400s, four of which are leased from International Lease Finance and four of which are owned.
But the airline says now that it plans to keep the 747-400s for at least the foreseeable future, and early in 2004 will be launching a major interior upgrade programme that will cover the installation of flat-bed seats in business class and in-seat personal televisions.
Source: Flight International
