Max Kingsley-Jones/LONDON
Efforts by British Airways to reduce its capacity have received a major boost after finalising a deal to phase out its entire fleet of Boeing 747-200 Classics over the next 18 months. The airline is also moving forward with plans to remove 747-400s.
Aircraft Exposure Management (AEM), a company set up by former Cathay Pacific director Stewart John, has agreed to take the airline's 15 Rolls-Royce RB211-524D4-powered 747-200s (including three combis), for conversion to freighters. Two of the -200s have already been acquired by AEM, and the phase out is scheduled to begin in February. The airline has the option to deliver all of its 747-200s to AEM by next October, although it may retain four aircraft until early 2002.
The 12 to 24-year-old aircraft will be converted by the Chinese maintenance organisation Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering (TAECO), which is part-owned by Cathay Pacific and its maintenance organisation HAECO, in which Boeing holds a 9.1% stake. TAECO is already participating in Boeing Airplane Services' 747 "special freighter" conversion programme. None of the 15 are believed to have been placed with operators yet.
Meanwhile, BA is finalising efforts to reduce its 57-strong R-R RB211-powered 747-400 fleet following network restructuring, with announced plans for the retirement of four aircraft next year. Industry sources suggest that some or all of these aircraft will be taken by Virgin Altantic. Further -400 retirements are likely if deals can be concluded.
Source: Flight International
