Finnair has invited final bids from Airbus and Boeing to replace its fleet of 12 ageing 121-seat McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51s, after completing technical evaluations of the A320 family and next-generation 737. The carrier also plans to eventually replace its 25 142-seat MD-80s with whichever type is selected.
The Finnish carrier will buy or lease a mix of A319s, A320s and A321s, seating 128, 153 and 188 passengers, respectively, or 737-600s, -700s and -800s, with 111, 126 and 165 seats. "The present venture is an extremely significant one, since the aircraft chosen will be the mainstay of the company for many years to come," says Antti Potila, president and chief executive officer of Finnair.
The initial order will be worth around FIM2 billion ($382 million), says the airline, with deliveries taking place between 1999-2001. "The contract is to include options for eventual acquisition of additional aircraft on the same terms," says Finnair.
The airline expects to receive the bids in April, after which "...final comparisons will start, and when these are complete, the commercial negotiations will begin. No deadline has been set for the decision to order."
Finnair has added eight used MD-80s to its fleet since 1995, and disposed of five DC-9s. The average age of the remaining DC-9s is 19 years, while the MD-80s average eight years.
Source: Flight International
