Swissair is to phase out its Boeing MD-11s early in the next decade after concluding a major deal for more Airbus widebodies at the end of 1997, following the board's earlier approval to order the A340-600.
Swissair has long been expected to be among the launch customers for the new ultra-long-range, Rolls-Royce Trent 500-powered, A340-600, and confirmed the order in late December when it signed an agreement with Airbus for up to 19 aircraft - nine firm and ten options. Swissair will take delivery of the nine firmly ordered A340-600s between April 2002 and 2006. The airline has the flexibility to take up its A340-600 options as the ultra-long-range -500 model, or the twin-engined A330.
Swissair's five Boeing 747-300s are being replaced in the near term by additional MD-11 tri-jets (acquired from LTU) and A330-200s. In the longer term, the A340-600s will take over the traditional 747 routes, as well as replace the airline's entire fleet of 20 MD-11s, which will be phased out between 2002 and 2006.
According to airline sources, Swissair already has a deal in place to sell the MD-11s to US parcels-carrier FedEx.
The airline has also increased its orders for the A330-200 to ten, with a deal for six more Pratt & Whitney PW4168-powered aircraft scheduled for delivery in 1999 and 2000.
Swissair already has a deal to take five A330-200s from September 1998 on lease from International Lease Finance. An order has also been placed for a further A321 for delivery in 1999.
Source: Flight International
