Tag Archives: Cobham

Boeing leases additional 717s to QANTAS Link and Volotea

Boeing’ (Chicago) leasing unit, Boeing Capital Corporation, announced additional deployments of 717s.

Australia’s largest regional airline, QANTAS Link, will receive an additional five leased 717s to add to its existing fleet of 13 of the twinjets that operate across Australia. Those deliveries will begin in late 2013 after the aircraft are refitted with upgraded interiors to include a full business class experience and new in-flight entertainment systems. The QANTAS Group has operated the 717s since 2002.

The 717s will be deployed on the Sydney-Canberra, Brisbane-Canberra and Melbourne-Canberra routes.

In Europe, startup carrier, Volotea (Barcelona and Venice), will increase its 717 fleet (below) in 2013 to a total 15 as it continues to develop its business model of offering point-to-point service to passengers between medium and small-sized European cities. Volotea began operations on April 5, 2012 with a network built around the 717 that is supported by a comprehensive Boeing solution for operations and training.

Volotea recently surpassed the million passenger mark enabled by its operation from 52 European airports, currently serving 97 city pairs.

There are more than 150 Boeing 717s in service today since the first airplane was delivered in 1999. The twinjet’s technology and fleet performance have earned it the distinction of being the world’s best jetliner serving the 100-passenger airline market.

Top Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Cobham Aviation Services Australia for QANTAS, Boeing 717-2K9 VH-NXH (msn 55055) prepares to land in Perth, Western Australia.

QANTAS Link-Cobham: AG Slide Show

Volotea: AG Slide Show

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 717-2BL EI-EWI (msn 55170) climbs away from Southend after maintenance.

QANTAS Group to lease five Boeing 717s, order three Bombardier Q400s and cancel one Boeing 787

The QANTAS Group (QANTAS Airways) (Sydney) has  announced an update to its fleet plan to capitalize on growth in Australian domestic markets.

QANTAS will lease an additional five Boeing 717 aircraft (above) and purchase three Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft (below), due to start arriving from the second half of 2013.

The company has also made a change to its international fleet plan, with the cancellation of a single Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on order for Jetstar Airways.

The remaining 14 Boeing 787-8s will be delivered to Jetstar as planned, with the first aircraft to arrive in mid-2013. This will enable the gradual transfer of Airbus A330 aircraft from Jetstar to QANTAS Domestic and the retirement of QANTAS’ Boeing 767 fleet.

Mr Joyce said the cancellation of one B787 took advantage of flexibility in its fleet plan and contract with Boeing.

“The original 787 order for Jetstar was designed to replace all 11 of its existing A330s that are used for long haul services plus provide another four lines of flying for future growth.

“While the plan is for Jetstar’s long haul network to keep expanding we are using the flexibility in our agreement with Boeing to cancel a firm order knowing that we can replace it with one of our 50 options for this aircraft down the track, and with a full view of what market conditions are like at the time,” added Mr Joyce.

Jetstar’s short haul growth plans continue to be supported by the QANTAS Group’s existing order of Airbus A320 aircraft.

Mr Joyce said the QANTAS Group remained firmly committed to the Dreamliners for both Qantas International and Jetstar, and that it retained options and purchase rights for 50 Boeing 787s of either -8 or -9 variants available for delivery from 2016.

In an important milestone for the Jetstar Boeing 787 program, production of its first aircraft has just begun. With delivery of the aircraft not due until mid-2013, the airline is confident current technical issues will be resolved by Boeing.

The decision to amend the 787 order was reached at the end of 2012 and the agreement with Boeing has now been finalized.

The fleet changes announced will have no material impact on the Group’s planned capital expenditure, which remains unchanged at $1.8 billion for FY13 and $1.9 billion for FY14.

Top Copyright Photo: Peter Gates. Boeing 717-231 VH-NXN (msn 55095) of Cobham Aviation Services Australia operating as a QANTAS Link carrier poses for the camera at Brisbane.

QANTAS Link-Cobham Aviation Services Australia: AG Slide Show

QANTAS logo

QANTAS Link-Sunstate Airlines: AG Slide Show

Bottom Copyright Photo: John Adlard. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) VH-QOC (msn 4117) of Sunstate Airlines approaches the Sydney hub.

Cobham Aviation to expand its market in Australia by using gravel airstrips

Cobham Aviation Services Australia (Adelaide) is planning to expand its scope of operations by using a new gravel kit on its fleet of BAe 146s according to this report by The Australian. The carrier has been experimenting with gravel kits for the past 18 months and plans to fly into remote locations.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan.

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