Kevin O'Toole/LONDON
BRITISH AIRWAYS plans to make a decision on updating its medium-haul fleet within the next 12 months, with the Airbus A330 among the contenders.
The airline says that in a year's time it will be in a position to begin "seriously considering" acquisition of an aircraft in the 350-seat class, possibly as a successor to its Boeing 767 fleet.
BA plays down speculation over initial investigations now taking place with Airbus - including a visit to Toulouse this month - saying that it is holding "discussions with all the manufacturers".
Selection of the A330 would, however, mark a major coup for Airbus in breaking Boeing's virtual monopoly in the BA widebody fleet. Despite the UK presence within the European consortium, BA has never purchased an Airbus aircraft, although it inherited an A320 fleet from its acquisition of Caledonian Airways.
BA's last major widebody competition, which went in favour of the Boeing 777, ended with acrimonious complaints from Airbus that the airline had failed to give a fair hearing to its A340 bid.
If the new decision goes in favour of Airbus, it would also provide an opportunity for Rolls-Royce to regain BA as a customer for the Trent turbofan. The UK engine manufacturer, was controversially ousted, by General Electric on the 777. "If they do take A330s, we hope they would take them with Trents," says R-R.
Speculation has been circulating in the UK that BA could take over positions on A330 deliveries vacated by deferrals. Trans World Airways is among the carrier's expected to make a decision shortly, on revising the delivery schedule on its ten A330 orders.
BA says that this greatly exaggerates the urgency of the decision. Airbus declines to comment.
Source: Flight International
