(Reuters) – Australia’s Qantas Airways (OTC: QABSY) on Thursday announced an order for 24 widebody aircraft, the final piece of the company’s jet fleet renewal program, and said the move is aimed at replacing its current Airbus A330 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
The multi-billion dollar order is split between 12 Airbus (OTC: EADSY) A350’s and 12 Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787’s, which will arrive from fiscal 2027 and into the next decade, Qantas said.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has completed sale-and-leaseback transactions for 11 aircraft, comprising seven Airbus A350-900s and four Boeing 787-10s, raising approximately S$2.0 billion in total.
The transactions were arranged by four different parties, as follows:
Lease Arranger
Aircraft
Aergo Capital Limited
1 Airbus A350-900 1 Boeing 787-10
Altavair
4 Airbus A350-900s
EastMerchant / Crianza Aviation
1 Airbus A350-900 2 Boeing 787-10s
Muzinich and Co. Limited
1 Airbus A350-900 1 Boeing 787-10
Total
11
SIA has successfully raised approximately S$15.4 billion in fresh liquidity since 1 April 2020, including these sale-and-leaseback transactions. The amount also includes S$8.8 billion from SIA’s successful rights issue, S$2.1 billion from secured financing, S$2.0 billion via the issuance of convertible bonds and notes, as well as more than S$500 million through new committed lines of credit and a short-term unsecured loan.
SIA continues to have access to more than S$2.1 billion in committed credit lines, along with the option to raise up to S$6.2 billion in additional mandatory convertible bonds before the Annual General Meeting in July 2021.
During this period of high uncertainty, as the airline industry continues to navigate the unprecedented challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the SIA Group will continue to explore additional means to raise liquidity as necessary.
Mr Goh Choon Phong, Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer, said: “The additional liquidity from these sale-and-leaseback transactions reinforces our ability to navigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic from a position of strength. We will continue to respond nimbly to the evolving marketing conditions, and be ready to capture all possible growth opportunities as we recover from this crisis.”
Japan’s five-star carrier plans to acquire 11 787-10 airplanes, four 787-9s jet and five options
Deal marks ANA’s sixth Dreamliner purchase; order book to eclipse 100 airplanes once options are exercised
ANA plans to use the largest, most efficient Dreamliner to replace certain domestic 777 models
Boeing [NYSE:BA] and ANA HOLDINGS INC. announced the Japanese airline group today decided to acquire up to 20 more 787 Dreamliner airplanes. The agreement with Boeing includes 11 787-10s, one 787-9 and options for five 787-9s valued at more than $5 billion at list prices. The airline also plans to acquire three new 787-9 airplanes from Atlantis Aviation Corporation.
Once the agreements are finalized, it will be ANA’s sixth order for the ultra-efficient and passenger-pleasing Dreamliner and bring their overall 787 order book to more than 100 airplanes.
“Boeing’s 787s have served ANA with distinction, and we are proud to expand our fleet by adding more of these technologically-advanced aircraft,” said Yutaka Ito, Executive Vice President of ANA and ANA HD. “These planes represent a significant step forward for ANA as we work to make our entire fleet even more eco-friendly and further reduce noise output.”
With this order, the airline will add 11 of the largest and most fuel-efficient Dreamliner models, the 787-10 to its world-class fleet. Powered by a suite of new technologies and a revolutionary design, the 787-10 set a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics when it entered service in 2018. The airplane allows operators to achieve 25 percent better fuel efficiency per seat compared to older airplanes in its class.
ANA sees the 787-10 as the perfect airplane to replace previous domestic 777 models that are slated for retirement.
“Introducing the 787-10 on our domestic routes will help ANA Group maintain its leadership role and improve our ability to operate as a responsible corporate citizen,” Yutaka Ito said.
ANA became the global launch customer of the 787 Dreamliner when it placed its initial order in 2004. Since then, like half of all Dreamliner operators, the Japanese carrier has placed follow-on orders. However, ANA is in a class by itself as the world’s biggest 787 operator with 71 airplanes in its fleet and 12 more to be delivered prior to the latest agreement. The new deal will bring the 11 additional 787-10 airplanes, one 787-9 and options for five more 787-9 jets.
ANA is also in the launch customer group for Boeing’s new 777X.
“ANA has grown into one of the leading airline groups in Asia by continually raising the bar for customer satisfaction and investing in the most technologically-advanced and capable fleet. We are truly honored that ANA HD is coming back to order more 787 planes with plans to boost their Dreamliner fleet to more than 100 jets,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company. “We are confident that the unique capabilities of the 787-10 will continue to safely serve its passengers with best-in-class comfort and reliability.”
The 787 Dreamliner is playing an important role in reducing carbon emissions around the world. Since the first 787 entered commercial service in 2011, the Dreamliner family has saved more than 48 billion pounds of fuel. In addition, the 787 fleet’s noise footprint is 60 percent smaller than those of the airplanes it replaces.
ANA HD’s new 787 jets will be powered by GE’s GEnx-1B engines. The new engines will contribute to the 25 percent improved fuel efficiency per seat of the 787-10.
CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines today announced it will operate its newest Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on six trans-Atlantic routes from its New York/Newark hub beginning in March 2019. United was the first North American airline to take delivery of the 787-10, and is also the first airline in the world to have the entire family of Boeing’s 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliners in its fleet. United’s 787-10 features 44 United Polaris® business class seats, 21 United® Premium Plus seats, 54 Economy Plus seats and 199 standard Economy seats. Tickets will be available for purchase on Dec. 3, for travel beginning March 30.
“United is proud to offer more seats between New York and Europe than any other carrier and our Boeing 787-10 aircraft based in New York/Newark will enable us to connect even more New York City customers to Europe and beyond,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s Vice President of International Network. “We are thrilled to announce six international cities that will be served with this aircraft and we look forward to offering our customers all of the comforts and services of our most advanced aircraft.”
Offering more service than any other U.S. airline from New York to Germany and Israel, United currently offers daily nonstop service to Frankfurt and twice-daily nonstop service to Tel Aviv. United also operates daily service from New York/Newark to Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin and Paris.
Investing in customer-friendly advancements onboard
In addition to United’s signature all aisle access Polaris business class and United Premium Plus seats, United is investing in several customer-friendly advancements onboard. The aircraft features updated lighting patterns that mimic sunrise and sunset and are designed to help customers in each cabin fall asleep and wake up more adjusted to new time zones. A brand new seatback entertainment system is also available at every seat, which includes:
Split screen capabilities allowing customers to watch a movie and view the flight map simultaneously.
A relax mode for customers who want to customize a selection of soothing videos and relaxing audio playlists.
The world’s most extensive suite of accessibility features on a seatback entertainment system, which accommodates any level of vision, as well as provides support for customers with hearing and mobility issues.
Movie and television recommendations based on remaining flight time and previously watched content.
United previously announced its first 787-10 aircraft will begin operating between New York/Newark and Los Angeles and San Francisco in January 2019.
The Boeing 787-10 is 18 feet longer than the 787-9 and can carry more passengers and more cargo. The -10 aircraft can fly up to 6,430 nautical miles, while using 20 percent less fuel than older generation airplanes. United currently operates 25 787-9 and 12 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline expects to take delivery of 14 787-10 aircraft over the next two years. For more information on United’s 787-10, and other fleet updates visit United’s Fleet Newsroom.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate approximately 4,700 flights a day to 356 airports across five continents. In 2017, United and United Express operated more than 1.6 million flights carrying more than 148 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 760 mainline aircraft and the airline’s United Express carriers operate 546 regional aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.
SOURCE United Airlines
For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, +1-872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com
American Airlines (AAL) has reportedly ended talks with Airbus (EADSY) for its A330neo aircraft, making it appear as if Boeing (BA) and General Electric (GE) will walk away as the winners of the large widebody aircraft order.
American is looking to purchase 25 to 30 new widebody aircraft, which would have a value of around $8 billion at list price. Large customers are usually able to negotiate large discounts, so the real would probably land somewhere around the $4 billion mark.
Airbus has reportedly commented that it was not able to match the Boeing price for its 787 Dreamliners. American Airlines is also reportedly looking to cancel an earlier order it had placed for 22 Airbus A350 aircraft.
This deal would also be a huge win for struggling General Electric, whose engines look like the winner for the order over Rolls Royce, according to reports from Reuters. If the Boeing win at American is finalized, it would be the second big blow for the A330 this month following Hawaiian Airlines (HA) announcement that it would switch its A330-800 order for the Boeing 787. The Airbus A330neo has been struggling to get passenger orders, forcing Airbus to consider offering the aircraft in a cargo version to help increase sales.
Boeing also stated that it has just delivered its first 787-10 Dreamliner to Singapore Airlines yesterday.
Boeing will use some of the savings from new corporate tax cuts to lower jet prices and better compete against Airbus, CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in an interview with the Seattle Times this week.
Singapore Airlines formally announced a deal today for 20 777-9 and 19 787-10 Boeing airliners during a ceremony at the White House. The order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer, and is worth $13.8 billion at list price. Airlines usually negotiate large discounts off the list price, and the deal is estimated to actually be around $6.5 billion. The deal will help to sustain more than 70,000 direct and indirect jobs in the United States. Singapore Airlines also added options to take delivery of up to 6 additional 777-9’s and 6 787-10 aircraft.
The airline will be the launch customer for the 787-10. The aircraft are scheduled to begin deliveries in the first half of 2018, and the new order is in addition to a prior order for 30 787-10’s. Singapore now has 49 787-10’s on order, making it the largest customer for the latest 787 aircraft type. The carrier plans on using the new 787-10 version on its medium-range routes, with the 777-9 operating on the airlines longer-haul routes. The large Asian air carrier and its subsidiaries operate the Boeing 737-800, 737-MAX 8, 787-8, 787-9, 777, and 747-400 aircraft types.
The deal for the new Boeing jets comes on the heels of the airlines announcement last May that they will not be renewing the leases on the first 5 of their Airbus 380 jets. The first of those 5 will be returned to its lessor in October, 2017. The next four will be retired over the following year. Singapore Airlines does have another five A380’s currently on its order book scheduled for deliveries in 2018 and 2019. It would not surprise me if these orders ended up being canceled, or converted to a different Airbus aircraft type. The A380 has failed to live up to European plane makers expectations, as only 216 aircraft are in service with 13 operators as of September 30, 2017. There are “officially” orders for about 100 more aircraft, but those deliveries are on shaky ground, at best. Emirates appears to be the only airline that has been able to make the A380 fleet work, but they have deferred their remaining A380’s on order amid slowing growth.
