|
|
|
|
Etihad Airways has become the first Airbus A350-1000 customer to reduce its order of the forthcoming twin-engine aircraft since a redesign was announced at Paris Airshow last year.
The national carrier, which is based in Abu Dhabi, purchased 25 of the A350XWB (extra wide body) planes in 2008 as part of a large-scale fleet expansion programme. However, although last year’s redesign would lead to 400nm more range and improved take-off weight, it also resulted in a two-year production delay and US$99 million extra in the list price of each aircraft.
Media reports have suggested that Etihad was unhappy with the revisions and therefore slashed its order to 19 A350XWBs, although a spokesperson for the airline reinforced its “great deal of confidence” in the programme.
“Etihad is delighted that we have been able to retain attractive delivery positions for the -1000 derivative,” explained the representative. “While we will be reducing our firm orders, our 25 options and purchase rights for this fleet remain in place and will no doubt play a crucial role in the airline’s growth.”
Revisions and delays to the A350-1000 have resulted in a public fallout with other customers over the past year, such as Emirates Airline and Air Lease Corporation. The most vocal, however, has been the aircraft’s launch customer Qatar Airways, which threatened to cancel its order for 20 of the -1000 variant in favour of the smaller -900 model, which is scheduled for deliveries from the first half of 2014, with assembly commencing in the first quarter of this year.
“It never makes me happy when one of the programmes we are so dependent upon is being delayed. This will dent our expansion and fleet replacement programme,” the media were told by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker. “Airbus is not listening to us; I don’t think they’ve achieved anything with this investment and frankly, we are losing confidence in the manufacturers’ ability to deliver contractual commitment.”
In reference to the Etihad Airways cancellation, Al Baker confirmed there are currently no plans for Qatar Airways to follow suit. “I’m not familiar with Etihad’s strategy and they can decide whatever they like, but I think it’s too premature to cancel. It’s true that the aircraft is not meeting performance targets and I have voiced my opinion on this matter several times. However, Airbus has promised to make improvements and I have confidence in them producing a good aeroplane, so we need to give them time,” he explained to Aviation Business magazine.
“The aircraft is still several years away, so we have time, although I will not wait indefinitely because Qatar Airways has a very clear strategy to keep the average age of our fleet very low and we need to ensure that strategy does not fall behind. The A350-1000 is important in terms of meeting that goal, as it has been earmarked to replace a very specific type of aeroplane in our fleet.”
 |
Site Map
 |
 |
 |
 |
|  |
| Articles | |
| Companies | |
 |
FEATURED COMMENT
Please click here to comment on this article