Qantas and the B737 MAX

[RooFlyer]

Qantas keeps options open on 737 MAX (might be pay-walled, sorry)

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

Qantas will not rule out replacing its domestic fleet with Boeing 737 MAX despite ongoing unease about the aircraft following two fatal crashes in five months.
Speaking on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association AGM in Seoul, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the company would start the process to decide on a new aircraft at the end of the year.

Qantas operates 75 Boeing 737s with an average age of 11 years, and is looking to gradually renew the fleet in coming years.

“We will do a tender between Boeing and Airbus, between the MAX and the A320s,” he said.

“We are also very keen on the Boeing NMAs (new midsize aeroplanes), known as the 797, which we think could be a great aircraft.”

He said the two crashes involving the 737 MAX 8 were “unbelievably tragic” but he had no doubt any issues with the aircraft would be resolved.

“Boeing is a massively good engineering operation. They will fix this, they will get the problems resolved. Boeing and this industry is about continuous improvement,” Mr Joyce said.

“When things go wrong we always try to figure out how (to make sure) that doesn’t occur again. I’ve absolutely no doubt that the issues with the MAX will be fully identified, will be fixed and the aircraft will be safe.”

 

[Mogul]

They publicly wouldn't rule it out as they will just play Airbus and Boeing off against each other. This begs the question that Boeing will more than likely do what ever they need to do $$$$ wise to secure an order and Airbus would be aware of this and have to sharpen their own pencil,. Good time to buy.

 

[RichardMEL]

I do think QF would probably like some MAX9's for some of those higher density routes like the triangle. Since they've redpoloyed 332's to NZ and DPS they're losing capacity at peak times on peak routes.. the MAX9 could assist down the track(as much as we dislike the 737 it is a cash cow for an airline like QF). No doubt the MAX8's issues will be resolved - sooner rather than later - and by the time QF can get delivery slots we're talking a few years off (and let's face it, QF would likely try to extract a decent price from Boeing who would like orders post this grounding and probably accept a fair discount to NOT lose a 70ish plane order from QF). Plus many of the 73H's are not that old as they have deliveries up until a few years ago. While their oldest would be over 10y old now, they adn do a phased fleet replacement starting from say 2023-24 IMO.

The big thing that would play on the Boeing sales folks might be Airbus' pitch of the 350ULR or similar for Project Sunrise and a bundle with 320/321neo series for domestic and trans/tas and do a good offer.. and Boeing would be DESPERATE to keep a long time omostly Boeing loyal customer like QF on the books. While the 777X potentially can have the range, Airbus seems closer to being able to offer a real product to do the job.....

There's also a chance the NMA (a.k.a 757 replacement potential "797") could come into the mix.

Could be interesting times ahead.

 

[docjames]

Don’t they still have ~50ea of A320nea and A321neos on order? On top of the ones already in JQ colours?

 

[justinbrett]

I don't think there's a chance of QF changing its domestic narrow body fleet to Airbus - too much change and retraining.

A320 had a rocky start when it first launched (and pilots not fully understanding the new systems). I don't mean to be cold but the world will move on from these tragic accidents - and we'll be safer for it.

 

[oz_mark]

Of course they'll evaluate the MAX, the A320 and anything else that might fit.the purpose! Hardly surprising...

 

[UP4014]

Airbus completely caught Boeing off guard and hence the MAX disaster trying to bring something to the market. I see QF playing each side off for the best price, why wouldn't they.

 

[pauly7]

Will be interesting to see what plays out that’s for sure... I wouldn’t rule out a narrow body move for QF domestic. I mean there are a couple of sneaky little A320’s quietly flitting around with a kangaroo on their tail in WA and Boeing is very aware of that

 

[RichardMEL]

I don't think there's a chance of QF changing its domestic narrow body fleet to Airbus - too much change and retraining.

True however it has happened elsewhere and while QF used to be a bolted on Boeing customer for decades.. nobody ever thought they'd go for the 380. However Airbus did such a deal and more or less threw in the 330's to the deal that QF couldn't refuse(and they missed the 777 bandwagon totally which still raises eyebrows).

Plus JQ's experience with the 320 series means AU does have infrastructure and expertise with these types so it's not inonceiveable that there could be a change (remember QF 787 training included a lot of handover of knowledge from JQ. The same probably happened with the 330's too).

I would reckon it would be about a 70% chance to stay with Boeing for the many reasons of commonality with existing a/c, training and infrastructure but there's definitely wiggle room if the deal is good enough...

 

[woodborer]

Any replacement aircraft to the 737s will be done over a number of years. There is no reason to believe they couldn't change types. All the 747 pilots are going somewhere, all the 767 pilots went somewhere. No reason to believe they couldn't change the domestic fleet either.
It will come down to which manufacturer has the sharpest pencil.

 

[justinbrett]

Any replacement aircraft to the 737s will be done over a number of years. There is no reason to believe they couldn't change types. All the 747 pilots are going somewhere, all the 767 pilots went somewhere. No reason to believe they couldn't change the domestic fleet either.
It will come down to which manufacturer has the sharpest pencil.

They can, but it all comes down to retraining costs vs what they’ll save.

AA is a good example of this.

 

[RichardMEL]

On the final 767 flight I was lucky enough to be on I spoke with the FO, Kirily Zupp, who was moving (IIRC) to JQ to left seat on the 330....
(this was when JQ still had the 330's)