Qantas to reconfigure A380s with 7.6% more seats
Qantas plans to reconfigure 12 A380s to increase seating from 450 to 484 - or 7.6% - and add 57 seats to nine of its B747-400 fleet as part of moves to revitalise its international business.
- Qantas plans to increase seating capacity on 12 A380s and 9 B747-400s to revitalize its international business.
- The reconfiguration of the A380s will increase seating from 450 to 484, a 7.6% increase.
- The work on the B747-400s will commence in August 2011 at Qantas Engineering's Avalon facility.
- The A380 reconfiguration will be conducted at Lufthansa Technik's facility in Manila.
- Qantas shares gained 0.5% after the announcement, breaking a losing streak.
- Air New Zealand CEO predicts the carrier won't make a profit in the first half of 2011 due to various challenges, including natural disasters and tough market conditions.
Work will commence in Aug-2011 on nine B747-400s at Qantas Engineering's Avalon facility, while the A380 work will be conducted at Lufthansa Technik's facility in Manila. Qantas' shares snapped a losing streak yesterday, gaining 0.5%.
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe stated the carrier "won't make money" in the six months to 30-Jun-2011, but services will be full during the Rugby World Cup. The carrier has been affected by the earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan and the floods in Queensland. Mr Fyfe stated the period from Jan-2011 to Jun-2011 was the toughest he had experienced in his six years as CEO. The airline's shares fell 1.9% yesterday.
Selected APAD daily share price movements (% change): 9-Jun-2011
