Qantas is finalising the acquisition of eight Airbus A320s for operation by its planned low-cost associate airline in Singapore, as its domestic arm Jetstar prepares to introduce the twinjet on Australian services.
According to industry sources, Qantas, which will own 49.9% of the as-yet unnamed Singapore carrier, is working to finalise lease agreements for two new A320s from Boullioun Aviation Services, two ex-ACES Colombia aircraft from Airbus, and four new examples from International Lease Finance (ILFC). All the A320s are powered by International Aero Engines V2500s, with the Boullioun aircraft expected to be delivered first, around November this year, along with the aircraft from Airbus. The two used A320s will be operated until the new ILFC-owned aircraft arrive.
Meanwhile Jetstar, the wholly owned domestic low-cost carrier that started operating in Australia late in May with Boeing 717s transferred from QantasLink, will introduce the first of 23 V2500-powered A320s next month. Jetstar's A320s will compete head-on in Australia with the Boeing 737s of dominant low-fare carrier Virgin Blue.
NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
