Qantas has announced its intent to purchase eight B787-9s from aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
The purchase is evidence of the carrier's improving financial situation, following a profit of A$975 million (US$716 million) during the first half of this year compared with a billion dollar loss the same time last year (see here).
Qantas B787-9 Dreamliner
“We’re halfway through the biggest and fastest transformation in our history,” said Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.
“Qantas is rapidly growing fitter, stronger, and smarter. The key reason we chose this particular aircraft is its incredible efficiency. Its new technology will reduce fuel burn, cut heavy maintenance requirements and open up new destinations around the globe.”
B787-9 range map
Four Dreamliners will be delivered in 2018, while the rest will arrive the following year.
The B787-9s will replace five of the carrier’s older B747-400 aircraft, leaving Qantas with six of its youngest reconfigured B747-400ER aircraft, which are capable of flying 500 miles (805km) further than the former model.
Dreamliner flight deck
While the Dreamliner offers less seats than the B747, this will be offset by Qantas taking delivery of eight Dreamliners to replace its five jumbos.
“Because the 787 is smaller than the jumbos it will gradually replace, it gives us the flexibility of having more aircraft without significantly changing our overall capacity,” commented Joyce.
For more information, visit qantas.com.au
Clement Huang
