Within the context of the announcement of the financial results for the fiscal year 2023, the first since 2019 in which profits were made, Qantas confirmed its decision to order 12 Boeing 787 (4 787-9 and 8 787-10) and 12 Airbus A350-1000 to gradually replace its A330-300 fleet, which are nearing an average age of 20 years.
The Boeing aircraft will start to be delivered from the fiscal year 2027, while those from Airbus will do so from the fiscal year 2028.
Qantas also detailed that the agreements with Airbus and Boeing include purchase rights for more aircraft that will allow them to both increase capacity and replace their A380 with A350 from the fiscal year 2032.
As we reported in another note published yesterday, the 787-10 seemed a sensible choice for Qantas to simplify the long-term fleet in the A350 and 787 families.
“This is another multi-billion dollar investment in the national carrier and it’s great news for our customers and our people», said Alan Joyce, Qantas CEO, who is about to leave his position.
“It’s in addition to the 149 firm aircraft we still have on order to continue renewing the domestic fleet for Qantas and Jetstar, and for the non-stop Project Sunrise flights to London and New York (…) These are generational decisions for this company. The aircraft will arrive over a decade or more and they’ll be part of the fleet for 20 years. They’ll unlock new routes and better travel experiences for customers, and new jobs and promotions for our peoplef«, he added.
Vanessa Hudson, successor to Alan Joyce, said, «Our ability to afford these aircraft comes from years of restructuring and strengthening our balance sheet, and our confidence about the future. Our entire fleet plan has a lot of flexibility built into it so we can slow down deliveries or, within reason, bring them forward depending on the broader market».
Qantas Fleet Renewal
The Qantas Group is in the process of significantly renewing its fleet. By the end of 2023, the Group expects to receive the first two A220s for QantasLink, although subsequent deliveries could be delayed due to supply chain disruptions.
Additionally, the first of the seven A320s is expected to arrive in December 2023 to support the growth of resources and Jetstar Asia’s recovery.
The delivery of twenty-two E190s wet-leased from Alliance Airlines and two converted A321 freighters is also scheduled for the same date.
Jetstar plans to integrate 18 Airbus A321LRs by 2024, with another 40 A321LR and A321XLR set to be added by 2029. Lastly, the first Airbus A350-1000 ULR for Project Sunrise is expected in the fiscal year 2026.
