UK leisure operator Monarch Airlines has confirmed its plan to acquire six Boeing 787-8s with purchase rights for a further four of the type.
As revealed by Flight's 24h news and data service Air Transport Intelligence yesterday, Monarch will take delivery of the six aircraft between 2010 and 2013 as part of its widebody fleet renewal. It values the deal at $916 million at list prices.
The airline’s long-haul fleet comprises Airbus A330s, A300s and a Boeing 767, but Monarch says that the 787 (a Boeing artist's impression of which is pictured below) will form “the core” of its future long-haul fleet.
Monarch chief executive Peter Brown says: “After months of extensive evaluation, we are delighted to have concluded that the Boeing 787-8 is the ideal aircraft to replace Monarch’s existing fleet of wide-bodied aircraft.
“With delivery scheduled between 2010 and 2013, we are confident that their introduction into our fleet will provide us with an unbeatable product offering and greatly enhance the onboard passenger experience on our flights.”
Monarch was unable to immediately say whether an engine selection has been made.
According to Flight's fleet database ACAS, Monarch Airlines operates a single Boeing 767-300ER, seven Boeing 757-200s, two Airbus A330-200s, four A300-600s, eight A321-200s and six A320-200s.
The airline operates a common fleet under the Monarch and Monarch Scheduled brands and flies to over 100 destinations, carrying over 6 million passengers annually.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
