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Qantas Group finalises 10-year domestic fleet renewal program involving 100 aircraft
October 5th 2021
Qantas Group has confirmed it is in the final stages of a formal tender process that will result in more than 100 new narrow-body aircraft entering its fleet. Read More » The previously flagged program, designated Project Winton after the airline’s birthplace, will see new aircraft enter the fleet from 2023 as replacements for its 737-800 and 717 workhorses. The airline said it was looking at the 737 MAX and A320neo families as well as the smaller Embraer E-Jet E2 family and the A220. “All of the next-generation aircraft we’re considering have the potential to drive big improvements in trip cost and overall efficiency and they are great platforms for delivering a better premium service to our customers,’’ Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, said. “Not only will these aircraft deliver a step change in reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions by around 15%, we are talking to each of the manufacturers about how we can accelerate the development and use of sustainable aviation fuels for our domestic flying. “This is a long-term renewal plan with deliveries and payments spread over 10 years, starting in fiscal year 2023, but the equally long lead time means we need to make these decisions soon.” Joyce said all the aircraft under consideration had been in operation for several years and were known quantities. The airline’s route structure means it is likely to order a combination of larger and smaller aircraft types, he said. The group also will retain significant flexibility to make adjustments to deliveries to match market conditions. Qantas intends to ramp up its Project Sunrise direct flights to London and New York with operations to start in 2024-2025, Joyce said. Originally, Qantas had chosen the A350-1000 for the routes but did not place the order due to pandemic. The Qantas Group has an existing order for 109 A320/A321 aircraft, which will predominantly renew Jetstar’s existing fleet of A320s. They are scheduled to start arriving at Qantas in calendar year 2022. Three additional 787-9s, for Qantas International, will be delivered from fiscal year 2023.
