Australian airline Qantas Airways on Thursday announced an order for 24 wide-body jets, the latest piece of the airline’s aircraft fleet renewal programme, saying the move was aimed at replacing its current Airbus A330 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
The multi-billion dollar order is split between 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s, which will arrive starting in fiscal 2027 and for the next decade, Qantas said.
Under the agreements, Qantas will have access to 500 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) per year, which will start flowing from 2028.
This could help achieve up to 90% of the group’s interim SAF target for 2030, Qantas said.
Towards more traffic in the pre-covid era
Global airlines have been struggling to reduce their emissions and are seeking alternatives to traditional kerosene fuels.
“SAF reduces carbon emissions over the entire life cycle by up to 80% and is a key part of Qantas’ emissions reduction plan,” the company said.
“Qantas clearly believes demand will hold, has ordered 24 new aircraft to meet demand and said demand will remain above pre-COVID levels,” said Josh Gilbert, Market Analyst at eToro AUS Capital.
New chief executive Vanessa Hudson won’t have a one-way ticket to success when she takes over in November, but it could be a new era of prosperity for the Australian airline, Josh Gilbert added.
Vanessa Hudson said in June that the company would launch a tender to replace existing A330s before the end of the year.
“Both the 787-9 and 787-10 offer greater efficiency, flexibility and passenger comfort to connect Australia with destinations around the world,” said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Earlier this week, Reuters reported, citing industry sources, that Boeing was close to reaching a deal with Qantas for its 787 Dreamliner.
Source: BFM TV
