Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has become the second international carrier to sign a letter expressing interest in ordering up to 10 Airbus A3XXs ahead of a critical consortium board decision to formally offer the aircraft for launch.
Airbus is stepping up efforts to get more airlines to signal formal interest in the A3XX before the board meeting set for 26 May. The manufacturer is trying to capitalise on an Emirates' announcement, tentatively committing it to ordering five A3XXs, plus five options, if the programme is launched.
SIA denies it has signed a letter of interest with Airbus, but declines to comment on whether it has issued any other sort of document. When Emirates revealed its interest in late April the statement referred only to the fact it had "officially notified" Airbus.
The Singaporean carrier has long been a vocal supporter of the A3XX and formal endorsement ahead of the board decision is considered critical.
Airbus is also soliciting a similar letter of support from Cathay Pacific Airways for five of the ultra-large-capacity jets. Other target carriers include Malaysia Airlines as well as FedEx and Atlas for a freighter version.
At the same time Boeing has tabled an offer to SIA for six increased gross weight 747-400Xs, plus nine options. The carrier is believed to be interested in the 413,000kg (910,000lb) maximum take-off weight (MTOW) development as a interim step, which would be available in 2002, three years ahead of the A3XX.
Cathay is similarly interested in the 747-400X and is understood to be seeking more information on the proposed 747X, a stretched 650,000kg MTOW development, before committing to the A3XX. Boeing has set a 747X briefing seminar for potential airline operators for late June.
Source: Flight International
