EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month:
UK budget airline EasyJet PLC could announce a decision on its long-awaited order for 120 new planes by the end of this month, with both Boeing Co and rival Airbus still in the running, the German business daily Handelsblatt reported, citing various sources.
An EasyJet spokesman confirmed to the paper that negotiations with the respective companies are “well advanced”, and that it is conceivable a decision could be made by the end of this month.
The order is the largest this year, and likely to be worth around $5 billion, Handelsblatt said.
EasyJet wants the planes, which should be delivered by the end of next year, to accelerate its expansion in Europe.
Analysts believe the order is likely to be awarded to Boeing, whose 737 model is currently used by EasyJet and fellow low-cost airline Go, which easyJet recently acquired.
Deutsche BA in Germany, which EasyJet has an option to buy, also uses Boeing 737s, Handelsblatt said.
A Boeing spokesman told the paper that after hard negotiations, it saw itself “in the pole position”.
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link: http://www.ananova.com/business/story/sm_672004.html?menu=business.late…
By: MapleLeaf_330 - 19th September 2002 at 15:44
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
You can operate both aircraft, but obviously makes sense to move forward with one product.
I think another sweet that Airbus may be dangling is the cancelled A318 orders. I keep reading of problems with the program. Perhaps for routes that don’t require the capacity of the 319/320/321 they will give them a big discount to invest in the 318. Didn’t BA reduce the size of its order?
Also, the fact the EasyJet, GO, and Deusche BA may potentially be one, an all European fleet for an airline that seems to be trying to establish itself as European rather than British would seem like an attractive marketing ploy. Maybe I’m stretching, I’m sick today 🙁
By: KabirT - 19th September 2002 at 09:19
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
Indian Airlines and Air India as well.
By: Hand87_5 - 18th September 2002 at 20:08
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
Yep wysiwyg and AF and UA and etc…..
By: wysiwyg - 18th September 2002 at 20:00
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
GB Airways, JMC, Virgin, BMI, BA, Airtours, Monarch, Air 2000, etc.
It really is possible to operate both Boeing and Airbus in the same company!!!
By: andrewm - 18th September 2002 at 16:11
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
easyJet would most likely go with Boeing to keep costs down. THey would have a single fleet and wouldnt need an air bridge or steps at the airports they serve for forward and rear doors as Boeing has steps Airbus dont.
Airbus A320 is my favourite but! (bmi livery is best)
By: wysiwyg - 18th September 2002 at 15:49
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
Bhoy, I guess in reality you are correct, the management thought they were ok it was the people that operated them that weren’t so impressed.
By: Bhoy - 18th September 2002 at 15:25
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
?? BA are always going on about how impressed with the ex-BCal A320’s they are.
By: KabirT - 18th September 2002 at 13:20
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
I agree on that wysiwyg …… But this is EasyJet … BA if would have not been happy with the A320 they could have disposed them off and taken more Boeings, and this wouldnt have been tough for them being such a huge airline. EasyJet is still growing, although the order is big i dont think EasyJet will take much chances even if the order would be mouth-watering.
But then again this is my view … 🙂 …we’ll have to wait and watch what happens.
By: wysiwyg - 18th September 2002 at 13:14
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-09-02 AT 01:15 PM (GMT)]Kabir – it’s not been very many years since we were all saying BA would never buy Airbus after the bad experience they had with the 10 inherited ex BCal A320s but they did because the offer made by Airbus was so good.
By: Saab 2000 - 17th September 2002 at 16:33
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-09-02 AT 04:34 PM (GMT)]Airbus are offering cut prices for these aircraft (so is the rumour)and is also offering free crew training on the A320,plus other perks I would think.
Airbus obviously want a bigger share in the low cost market which is dominated by the 737.I think Airbus will get the order although I would prefer fleet commanality with the 737.
By: Hand87_5 - 17th September 2002 at 13:37
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
Interesting : wait and see…
wysiwg are you ready to bet a free ride on your jet ?
By: KabirT - 17th September 2002 at 13:04
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
I doubt that. They currently operate a full Boeing fleet and such a changeover to Airbus will cost them alot(maintanence, mechanics etc.).
By: wysiwyg - 17th September 2002 at 10:30
RE: EasyJet could award 120-plane order by end of this month
I had lunch the other day with a married couple (I was there best man!) who are both pilots for easyJet (and ex-Aurigny – to keep Saab happy 🙂 ). I was most surprised to hear that the word on the easyJet street is that Airbus look like the stronger candidate at the moment. One of the main problems with the new B737’s is that they are still only Cat3a capable whereas Airbus’s are CAT3b, which at Luton is vital. EasyJet toyed with Head Up Dispalys for low vis approaches in the 737 which allowed a small reduction in required minima but still not as good as other Boeings or Airbus.
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September 17, 2002 at 9:18 am