HILKA BIRNS / CAPE TOWN
South African Airways (SAA) is discussing the acceleration of its Airbus A319 order, as it closes on a powerplant selection for its Airbus narrowbodies.
SAA and Airbus confirm discussions are under way to bring the start of deliveries of the 11 A319s on order forward from January 2005 to July 2004 to gain earlier cost savings. "The earlier delivery is under investigation, but no new contract is in place yet," says the airline, adding a decision is expected soon.
Airbus confirms the talks, saying that it has sufficient production capacity to deliver the A319s earlier.
The A319s were ordered in May last year to replace the airline's inefficient fleet of 14 Boeing 737-200 Advs on domestic routes, part of a major deal that included 15 A320s - which will replace its 21 737-800s from 2010 - as well as A340-300s and -600s for long range routes.
SAA will decide this month between CFM International and International Aero Engines to supply engines to power the 26 A319/A320s on order. SAA has experience operating and supporting both engine types - its original A320 fleet was equipped with IAE V2500s, and its 737-800s and A340-200s (and its soon-to-be-delivered A340-300s) are powered by CFM56s.
Source: Flight International
