Aircraft, Engines And Operations – Enabling New Generations Of LCLH Services
Change is now in the wind as low cost long haul operators continue to capitalise on the capabilities of new narrowbody aircraft and increasing liberalisation to stimulate competition on markets traditionally dominated by the full service carriers. As a prime example, LCCs, led by Norwegian, have been encroaching on the tightly controlled trans-Atlantic route over the past five years. Their presence continues to grow here and elsewhere, thanks to the development of new, more cost efficient aircraft types such as the 787, and narrowbodies such as the Boeing 737 MAX and A321neo. The better fuel efficiency of the MAX and the A321neo and, in particular, the additional range of the A321neoLR enable new smaller city pairs that are not big enough to sustain widebody operations to become economically viable. Legacy airlines are also taking advantage of new narrowbody equipment to open up or defend existing routes.
- What new aircraft production platforms are stirring interest and what opportunities to they open up to LCCs?
- Disrupting mature markets or growing new city pairs? Which markets are prime targets for low cost long haul expansion?
- How are legacy airlines utilising the new aircraft equipment to defend markets?
- What role will widebodies play as long range narrowbodies take on greater significance in long haul markets? What particular features of the new generation equipment will help enable sustainable growth of the low cost long haul growth?
- Are operators looking to fly new aircraft to destinations that are far apart, or is the focus more on trying to make the aircraft fit into the existing network?
- Are new narrowbodies freeing up older widebodies for deployment on new routes?
- Airbus, Principal – Market Intelligence & Consulting, Yves Renard
- Boeing, Senior Managing Director – Marketing, Darren Hulst
- PlaneConsult, Managing Director, Conor McCarthy