Qantas close to renewal

QANTAS has revealed it is in the final stages of a tender process to secure 100 new aircraft to enter the national carrier’s domestic narrow-body fleet by 2034.

Plans will see the airline’s Boeing 737-800s and Boeing 717s, currently comprising the bulk of its domestic jet operations, phased out from 2023 for newer aircraft, potentially from the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family, as well as the smaller Embraer E-Jet E2 family and the Airbus A220.

Key terms of the tender state that the new planes will need to improve or maintain the carrier’s performance across safety, reliability, performance, sustainability and emissions reduction targets.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said choosing the right supplier will be a pivotal decision regarding the success of the company’s future domestic operations.

“We’re calling this Project Winton, after the birthplace of Qantas in outback Queensland, because this is a foundational decision for the future of our domestic operations,” Joyce said.

“Not only will these aircraft deliver a step change in reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions by up to around 15%, we’re talking to each of the manufacturers about how we can accelerate the development and use of sustainable aviation fuels for our domestic flying.”

The renewal plan, along with deliveries and payments, will be spread over the next 10 years, with Joyce adding that Qantas was in a strong position to secure the best possible deal at very good prices.

Final decisions on preferred suppliers of aircraft and engines are expected to be made by the end of 2021 followed by firm orders in mid-2022.