Low-cost carrier, Jetstar, is gearing up for the arrival of the Boeing 787 that will join its fleet in September. It will start commercial services with the aircraft type in November.
The aircraft will initially be operated domestically, likely on Gold Coast and Cairns services, before it is used on international routes.
The carrier's first 787 is in the final stages of assembly at Boeing's facility in Seattle, ahead of its scheduled delivery in late September. It is scheduled to receive three 787s by the end of the year.
As the first operator of the aircraft type in Australia, Jetstar will have to work with Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority to certify the jet locally before it can be put into commercial service.
The carrier's fleet of 787s, which will be used on long-haul routes, will feature a Panasonic Ex2 inflight entertainment system in every seat.
Jetstar's first engineers and pilots have completed 787 training, with more doing so in the next few months. More than 600 cabin crew will also be trained.
The Qantas Group will invest over A$100 million in infrastructure to support 787 operations, says Jetstar.
Jetstar's has 14 787s on order. The type will replace its fleet of Airbus A330s on long-haul routes. The carrier will have an all 787 long-haul fleet by 2015.
After the 787s are delivered, Jetstar's A330-200s will be returned to Qantas to replace the parent carrier's 767s, which will be retired.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
