Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
The Qantas board is to decide shortly on a deal to purchase three surplus 747-400s from Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Asiana, in lieu of Boeing's failure so far to give a firm commitment to launch development of an increased growth weight (IGW) version of the aircraft.
Qantas has ordered three new-build 747-400s from the US manufacturer, but has asked that the aircraft be completed and certificated to the proposed higher 413,140kg maximum take-off weight (MTOW). Boeing, however, has not yet given the Australian carrier a firm delivery date on the yet-to-be launched IGW version.
To boost international long haul capacity in the interim, Qantas is negotiating to acquire two 747-400s from MAS and a single -400 from Asiana of South Korea. The two Asian carriers have been badly hit by the region's recent economic difficulties and are trying to offload excess capacity. The three General Electric CF6-80C2-powered aircraft are around five years old and are understood to be priced at below market rates.
Cathay Pacific Airways had earlier made an unsuccessful bid to sell two of its surplus Rolls-Royce RB.211-524D4-equipped 747-200s to Qantas, which would have provided engine commonality with the airline's existing 747 Classic fleet. It is unclear what impact, if any, the entry into service of GE-powered 747s will have on the carrier's decision on a powerplant for its three -400s on order.
Boeing has asked that Qantas make its selection by June in order for the US manufacturer to meet its initial agreed delivery date of October 1999. The issue is complicated by the fact that the IGW version of the 747 sought by Qantas will not be ready for at least another 12 months, providing the programme is launched.
The manufacturer has proposed supplying an IGW "enabled aircraft" certificated at the existing lower 397,300kg MTOW, which would later be retrofitted with new wheels and brakes for the higher operating weight (Flight International, 4-10 February, P13). Qantas is seeking assurances that the IGW will be developed, while Boeing still requires at least another nine orders for a launch approval.
Source: Flight International
