Qantas Group announces order for eight Boeing 787-9s, delivery starting FY2018

Qantas Group announced (20-Aug-2015) an order for eight Boeing 787-9 aircraft to replace five 747-400 aircraft and "open up a range of potential new city pairs." Four aircraft will be delivered in FY2018 and the remaining four in FY2019. The carrier retains 15 options and 30 purchase rights spanning the 787 family of aircraft "with significant flexibility over the timing of delivery." The Group also reallocated three 787-8 orders, originally planned for Jetstar Airways, into 787-9. Qantas said the 787-9 would deliver 20% lower fuel consumption compared to the 747-400 with a maintenance cost reduction of 15%, with no heavy maintenance check for 12 years. The timing of deliveries will also avoid "expensive maintenance events" on the 747 fleet. The carrier plans to continue operating its six 747-400ERs. According to the CAPA Fleet Database, Qantas Airways currently operates 5 747-400s and six 747-400ERs with an average age of 18.7 and 12.6 years respectively. [more - original PR]