QF orders more Q400s

[moa999]

Another 12 Q400s ordered for mid-08+ delivery.
Dash8-100s gone by 2010

Obviously not too worried about DJs Embraer fleet and DJs belief that passengers will prefer jets over props

SYDNEY, 22 October 2007: Qantas said today that it would purchase 12 additional Bombardier 72- seat Q400 aircraft for QantasLink. The airline will also take options and purchase rights for another 24 Q400s.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the aircraft, to be delivered from June 2008, would boost the QantasLink Q400 fleet to 21 aircraft.
Mr Dixon said this $400 million investment, following QantasLink’s $200 million investment in the first seven Q400s delivered in 2006, was a clear indication of the Qantas Group's ongoing commitment to regional air services in Australia.
“These aircraft will be used to increase capacity and service frequency on key regional routes, as well as pursue new growth opportunities.
“The Q400, which offers jet-like speed, improved passenger comfort and lower operating costs is central to QantasLink’s growth strategy.
“It carries 72 passengers, can service most ports and is more environmentally friendly than alternative jet aircraft.”
Mr Dixon said the new aircraft would enable the retirement of all QantasLink 36-seat Dash 8-100 series aircraft by early 2010.
“Capacity growth for QantasLink over the period July 2008 to June 2010 will be around 19 per cent per annum.”
Mr Dixon said QantasLink and Bombardier planned to finalise contracts for the increased order by the end of this month.
QantasLink currently operates around 2,000 flights each week, serving 50 metropolitan and regional destinations throughout Australia with a fleet of 49 aircraft. The Q400 aircraft primarily operate services on QantasLink’s Queensland and ACT network at this stage.

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[ANstar]

So what is next for QF? A 737-400 replacement? How old would those aircraft be now?

 

[NM]

So what is next for QF? A 737-400 replacement? How old would those aircraft be now?

QF's oldest 737-400, VH-TJJ entered service with QF (new from Boeing) in December 1990. The newest was manufactured in 1993. So they are all between 14 and 17 years old.

 

[JohnK]

I would prefer a jet to a prop but that reason alone would not sway me to fly another carrier, especially a LCC.

 

[thadocta]

QF's oldest 737-400, VH-TJJ entered service with QF (new from Boeing) in December 1990.

Point of order - it actually entered service with TN.

Dave

 

[Standby]

Another 12 Q400s ordered for mid-08+ delivery.
Dash8-100s gone by 2010​

Obviously not too worried about DJs Embraer fleet and DJs belief that passengers will prefer jets over props​

the benifit of a turbo prop ,espcially in SYD, is they dont need to do the 10minutes taxi to the end of the 3rd runway thus the block times if you compare on SYDCBR will br basically identical to the Jets ,both 737s and EMBs,
On anything under 500KMs the block times are identical.
also EMBs not coming in with any IFE etc means they will be seem pretty similar . I think Qantaslink purchase is more that all the cap they put on with the first 7 Q400s has been soaked up,this is really upgrading current 36 and 50 seaters without adding frequency or too much extra cost ie the 70 seaters op with the same cabin crew numbers.I'm sure their aim is the frequency game .

 

[NM]

Point of order - it actually entered service with TN.

Dave

Indeed it did. My apologies for being inaccurate .

 

[pauly7]

Another 12 Q400s ordered for mid-08+ delivery.
Dash8-100s gone by 2010​

Obviously not too worried about DJs Embraer fleet and DJs belief that passengers will prefer jets over props​

Wow big order for QF Link, I love flying the Q400's

 

[NM]

Wow big order for QF Link, I love flying the Q400's

Hmm, now just how many aircraft does QF have on order?

A380 = 20
B787 = 65
A332 = 6
B73H = 5
Q400 = 12

total = 108

And that is with a combined QF, QF Link, JQ fleet of just over 200 aircraft currently operating. That is significant investment, fleet upgrade and expansion.

 

[serfty]

Of course, there's the odd aircraft or two to be retired.

Certainly the 743's and many 763's.

Possibly the 717's.

And, I guess with tat largish Q4 order, many of the DH3's, DH8's etc will be moved on.

 

[NM]

Of course, there's the odd aircraft or two to be retired.

Exactly, which is what I referred to as "fleet upgrade".

QF has taken a bettering recently from people complaining about an aging fleet. And that is quite understandable with the 743s, some of the 763s and the 734s/ So it will be god to see them (and others as you have noted) being retired and replaced with shiny new ones. Hmm, can a carbon fibre aircraft be classed as "shiny" when its new?

 

[pauly7]

Of course, there's the odd aircraft or two to be retired.

.

Or sent to NZ to put some pressure on Air NZ's domestic network hehe

 

[Platy]

It would seem that SAS have serious concerns over the Q400:

Canadian-built planes removed from fleet | NEWS.com.au

This of course follows a couple of incidents with landing gear "failures", but looks like there's more to it...

 

[ANstar]

well... I reckon QF prob got a good deal... I wonder if they will actualyl go ahead and get them still

 

[straitman]

It would seem that SAS have serious concerns over the Q400:

Canadian-built planes removed from fleet | NEWS.com.au

This of course follows a couple of incidents with landing gear "failures", but looks like there's more to it...

Interesting that one operator seems to be having all the problems.

 

[Yada Yada]

the benifit of a turbo prop ,espcially in SYD, is they dont need to do the 10minutes taxi to the end of the 3rd runway thus the block times if you compare on SYDCBR will br basically identical to the Jets ,both 737s and EMBs,
On anything under 500KMs the block times are identical.
also EMBs not coming in with any IFE etc means they will be seem pretty similar .

The downsides of the Crash-8's are:

1. No aerobridge boarding, so not as good when weather is bad.
2. Prop has to be tied down upon arrival before seat belt sign is turned off and pax are allowed out.
3. Disembarking is slower due to point #2.
4. In SYD, pax must disembark onto a bus and wait for everyone, then drive to T3.
5. Noisier
6. Bumpier ride

According to crazydave98, Live2Air is coming to the E-Jets.

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting that one operator seems to be having all the problems.

Can be by virtue of being a launch customer. CX had issues with RR engines that lead to the grounding of their A330 fleet, simply because they were the first to get to an age where the problem occurred.

 

[oz_mark]

1. No aerobridge boarding, so not as good when weather is bad.

They'd fit in well in Perth though

 

[littl_flier]

Looks like QF will stand by their extended order.
Qantas forging ahead with Q400 jet | TRAVEL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz

 

[Yada Yada]

They'd fit in well in Perth though

Indeed!