Airbus disappointed with Surinam Airways choice

PARAMARIBO - According to an email from Airbus, the company is disappointed and shocked about the fact that Surinam Airways, despite having had discussions with them for six months, has chosen to replace its leased A340, of which the contract expires at the end of the year, with first a Boeing 777-200ER and later with a Boeing 787-8. According to Airbus, its A330-200 model would have been a better choice for Suriname. “Airbus reports The7878 comes with fixed costs of ownership that cannot be compensated by the flights carried out by this model, which means that it will not be profitable for the Surinamese Aviation Company (SLM). The 777200ER is also a 15year old model with an outdated interior”.

It is indicated that the 787-8 will require a complex and expensive transition. “All pilots, technicians and crew members must be retrained in order to be able to man this aircraft. This will cost the company more than USD 2 million and will result in more expenses than profits. The decision to use a 777200ER is therefore not logical from an economic and technical point of view. If the SLM chooses the A330 instead of the 777/787, it will save USD 30 million over the next ten years,” says Airbus.

“The A330200 aircraft of ours would have been a much better choice. Many studies have shown that the A330200 is the most suitable replacement for the A340. Firstly, the A330 is the most popular longhaul aircraft in the world. Secondly, the A330 is the best solution for the SLM in terms of cost savings and lowest risks as it requires far fewer technical ‘changes’ and lower expenses as is currently the case. The total operating costs of the A330 will be 8 percent lower than those of the 787, which means that buying the A330 could save USD 3 million a year,” explains Airbus in his mail. Airbus would like Surinam Airways to reconsider its decision to use Boeing aircraft.