Syrianair is considering the launch of new long-haul routes for its two Boeing 747SPs, as new Airbus A320s replace them on many services.
The Damascus-based carrier has operated the 23-year-old, 320-seat 747s since they were delivered new in 1976. The airline ordered six 150-seat A320s in 1997 to update its fleet, which also includes six ageing Boeing 727-200s and seven Tupolev Tu-134s and Tu-154s. Two A320s have been delivered, and the rest are due this year.
According to Syrianair's commercial director Safaa Alkhayer, the new A320s can reach all the carrier's European, Middle Eastern, Indian and African destinations where the 747s are deployed. New points in North and South America and the Far East are being considered as possible applications for the Boeing 747s. Potential long-haul destinations include Rio de Janeiro and Kuala Lumpur.
"Traffic is very good to other Arab countries, particularly to the Gulf, and to Moscow, and there is good tourist traffic from Western Europe to south Asia and the Indian subcontinent," says Alkhayer.
Syrianair has seen some 20% annual growth in its passenger traffic, supporting revenue gains of 6-10%, while load factors are running at around 65%. Some services to eastern Europe have been dropped under the airline's policy of suspending services where traffic is low.
Source: Flight International
