Qantas sets December date for fleet decision
ATWOnline a leading US aviation news resource, reported today that Qantas is due to make its much-anticipated fleet decision between the 787/777 and A340/A350 on Dec. 7.
CEO Geoff Dixon told ATWOnline that the airline will submit on that day a recommendation to the board for the 100-aircraft commitment.
Boeing is working with Qantas on an even longer-range 777-200LR to operate nonstop from Sydney to London. It would be configured in an all-business-class arrangement and have a lighter-weight interior.
Dixon said Airbus has advised that its A340-500 is not a contender for the Sydney-London Heathrow route and added that the route is not without its challenges for the 777-200LR.
Meantime, he said the carrier is looking to expand its Australian LCC Jetstar to take over regional international holiday routes from both Qantas and its holiday subsidiary Australian Airlines. The new Jetstar International would be two-class and eventually may fly to the US and Europe.
Report by The Mole
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