German carrier to decide between A350 XWB and 787
Lufthansa is set to finalise its long-haul fleet-replacement strategy in the next four to five months, when it will decide whether to order the Airbus A350 XWB or the Boeing 787. The airline also continues to evaluate the 747-8 as a potential replacement for some 747-400s.
Chief executive Wolfgang Mayrhuber says the airline is to choose between the A350 and 787 soon: “A study is looking at both: it is the next decision to be made.” He says Lufthansa, which last month agreed to introduce up to 65 Airbus aircraft to its short- and medium-range fleet, is considering the 747-8 as an alternative to adding more A380s.
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Lufthansa could replace some of its 747-400s with the new 747-8 |
“We are looking at the 747-8 as an option that would fit in between the A380 and smaller aircraft – the question of whether we do it is open. The decision for the long-range fleet-replacement structure is on its way – it could be within four to five months.”
The 747-8 would form part of an “integral solution”, he says. “We have 30 747-400s. When we ordered our A380s we said that some of the 747s would be replaced with A380s, and some would be replaced with A340-600s and 777s. Now the 747-8 is available, we must make a decision on how this extra type of aircraft would fit into the structure.”
Mayrhuber has ruled out additions to the airline’s regional aircraft this year. “We’ve made a partial decision with the Bombardier CRJ900. There will be more decisions in the mid-term,” he says, adding that there will not be any more announcements this year.
Source: Flight International
