Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Qantas Airways has issued a fresh request for proposals (RFP) reviving its long-standing requirement for a family of long-range, ultra-long-haul 300-seat aircraft to expand capacity and begin replacing Boeing 747SP/-200/-300s and 767-200ERs.
The Australian carrier is using the RFP to determine whether the economics are right to modernise and increase its fleet after two abandoned attempts. A decision, expected by mid-2000, "will define the shape of Qantas for the next 30 years", says an industry observer and sets the scene for the next major battle between Boeing and Airbus Industrie.
Qantas has two complementary requirements focused on adding capacity between Australia and Asia and opening new ultra-long-haul routes to North and South America. For the former, it is looking at the Airbus A330-300 or Boeing 777-200ER, and for the latter, the choice is between the Airbus A340-500/600 and yet-to-be-launched 777X derivatives.
Ultimately, Qantas plans to acquire up to 30 aircraft split between its two requirements. Its initial need is believed to be for about eight A330-300s or 777-200ERs, plus seven options.
The airline operates an all-Boeing fleet powered by a mixture of General Electric, CFM International and Rolls-Royce engines. For Airbus, a Qantas order would be a long sought-after major sales breakthrough in Australia. Further downstream, the airline will also require a narrowbody replacement for its 737-300/400s, while its rival Ansett Australia faces a series of long overdue fleet modernisation decisions.
The RFP comes at a critical time for Boeing, trying to rally support for a 777X launch. Qantas has always taken a conservative approach to new equipment and has never launched an aircraft project.
Boeing's sought-after 207 min increase in extended twin-engined operations will also be important for Qantas' planned new ultra-long-haul routes, including Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth.
Source: Flight International
