Delta likely to order 7877 by year end

Straight from the horses mouth (well the old horse anyway)…

Grinstein sees Delta 787 order this year
Graham Dunn, London (21May07, 09:41 GMT, 214 words)

Delta Air Lines outgoing chief executive Gerald Grinstein is predicting his successor at the carrier is likely to order Boeing 787s by the end of the year, the Seattle Times reports.

It reports Grinstein, who is set to step down this summer and was speaking during a Microsoft CEOs conference in Seattle, said any decision on ordering new aircraft was in the hands of his successor. But he adds he would be surprised if the airline did not buy its first 787s by year-end.

Delta currently operates over 100 Boeing 767s, and Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 aircraft would be the likely choices for replacement aircraft. While Delta executives recently indicated these would not need replacing until around 2013, the newspaper cites Grinstein as saying Delta could need to start replacing the aircraft in 2011.

Referring to the earlier entry into service date of the 787, Grinstien is quoted as saying: “Of course you could wait for the A350. But why?” He says the 787 is perfect for the needs of US carriers with the right size and necessary range, the paper reports.

It adds Grinstein also believes the availability of 787 delivery slots will not prove a problem as Boeing can always “miraculously” find slots when it needs them for a big order.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news