NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Six aircraft on firm order; delivery planned for 2007-08
Airbus has landed its first A380 customer for over a year with a commitment from the parent of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to acquire the type for the state-owned carrier.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) covers six A380s to be taken on firm order, with the first three due for delivery in 2007 and the remaining three a year later. Industry observers believe it puts Airbus in a strong position for future deals with the airline, which has been considering replacing its Boeing 737 fleet for some time.
MAS's holding company, Penerbangan Malaysia (PMB), has signed an MoU to purchase the aircraft. PMB will own the A380s, but will lease them to the national carrier, as it does for all aircraft in MAS's fleet.
The A380-800s are expected to be used primarily on services to Europe but also to Australia and possibly to points within Asia.
An engine has not been selected between the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 and the GP7200 offered by the General Electric/Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance. MAS's present Airbus and Boeing widebody passenger aircraft are powered by a mix of P&W and R-R engines.
Two of MAS's main competitors, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Australia's Qantas Airways, have also ordered the ultra-large type. SIA is to be the launch operator when it takes first delivery early in 2006. The last new customer for the 560-seater was German flag carrier Lufthansa, which signed a 15-aircraft deal in December 2001. FedEx Express firmed up an 18-month-old MoU in July 2002.
With the latest deal, Airbus has 103 orders and commitments for A380s from 10 customers.
Source: Flight International
