Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has launched its long-awaited W requirement for an aircraft to replace the Airbus Industrie A310, with a request to airframe and engine manufacturers for pricing on a mix of up to 19 widebody and narrowbody jets, plus 22 options.
The move is likely to spark one of the most fiercely contested bidding battles of the year between Airbus and Boeing. Last year, there was a furore when Boeing landed a 777 deal that involved the US company taking SIA's A340-300 fleet to sell secondhand. Five A340-500s remain on the orderbook.
The Singapore carrier has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for seven 250-300-seat widebodies and 10 options. It wants delivery of the first aircraft as early as March 2003, but neither the proposed Boeing 777-100X nor A330-100 derivatives have been launched. There is concern within SIA about residual values on these types.
As a result, SIA has asked Boeing for flexibility to switch between the 777-200A and the -100X shrink. Airbus similarly will offer the A330-200, with conversion rights to the proposed smaller -100. The aircraft is a modernised version of the A300-600R, featuring more modern engines, improved wing and A330-200/300 fly-by-wire avionics and cockpit (Flight International, 15-21 February).
The 777 and A330 are larger than the A310 and SIA is examining a 180-200-seat class narrowbody solution to its W-requirement. The RFP accordingly contains a pricing request for 12 Airbus A321s, plus 12 options, and a similar number of Boeing 737-900s.
Given the variety of regional routes flown by SIA's A310s, ranging from 1h shuttle flights to 6h stage lengths, industry sources suggest that the airline is likely to opt for a mixture of narrow and widebody aircraft. SIA operates 15 PW4000-powered A310-300s.
SIA was a stronger supporter of the 777-100X in its original ultra- long-haul guise and is being targeted as potential launch customer for the new 777-200X. It has received 13 of the 35 Rolls-Royce Trent 800-powered 777-200ERs on order and five of the seven 777-300s ordered. It still has outstanding options on another 19 aircraft.
Part of the RFP issued to Boeing is understood to include a request for fresh pricing on five more 777-200s and seven options. It also incorporates a provision for a small number of additional 747-400s. Its -400 orderbook stands at 45 PW4000-powered aircraft, with eight undelivered.
While widebody commonality might appear to favour Boeing, the selection of a narrowbody could lean towards Airbus. SIA subsidiary SilkAir is replacing its 737-300s with 10 International Aero Engines V2500-powered A319/ A320s. Its joint venture leasing company with Boullioun - Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise - has ordered 39 A320/A321s.
Source: Flight International
