Despite all the sales excitement over Boeing's 787, there is a notable gap in the customer base so far: large European network carriers.
Marlin Dailey, vice-president sales Europe at Boeing, explains it as "a timing issue". Quite simply carriers like British Airways and Lufthansa are not ready to replace current types with the 787.
"The airplane will certainly have a place in the major network carrier fleets," he says. For example, BA will eventually need a replacement for its large 767-300 fleet, probably from 2011, "only the campaign has not materialised yet".
The stretched 259-seat 787-9 could also tempt Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa as a "perfect replacement for Airbus A340-300s", says Dailey.
Some of these aircraft hit 20 years old in 2011-12. "In the course of late 2005 through 2006 we will begin some serious discussions with the bigger network carriers."
As these carriers wait to come to market, Boeing has been focusing its European sales efforts on smaller network carriers and leisure airlines.
One carrier poised to put pen to paper is LOT Polish Airlines, which is thought likely to choose the 787 over the A330-200 or A350.
Source: Flight Daily News
