They must really like the A333s at the moment, after the delay of their B789s. The option to extend the leases is good if any delays to the A350 occur.
They must also like the warmed-over RB211, with Trents powering their A330s, A380s, and B777s (exciting the 777-300ER), eh, Ship741 :diablo: (A light-hearted jibe)
SIA inks deal for 15 more Airbus A330-300s
By Siva Govindasamy
Singapore Airlines has reached an agreement with Airbus to lease another 15 A330-300s for its fleet.
These aircraft will both replace older Boeing 777s in the Star Alliance carrier’s fleet and grow its capacity in the coming years. They will be delivered from the Airbus production line between 2013 and 2015, said SIA.
The A330s, which will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, will be leased for a minimum of six years, with an option for an extension. They will be operated on regional and medium-range routes to Asia, Australia and the Middle East, said the carrier.
SIA’s fleet already has another 19 A330-300s that it initially got on five year leases, and these could remain in service for even longer. “There is an option to extend that lease, and there is flexibility on the length of the lease extension,” said a spokesman.
The carrier also has 20 Boeing 787-9s and 20 Airbus A350-900s on firm order, according to information in Flightglobal’s ACAS database. The 787s were initially due for delivery in 2011, but multiple delays in the programme means that this has now been pushed to 2013 at the earliest.
“We remain in discussions with Boeing on the delivery date for the 787s. The first delivery of the A350s is scheduled for the 2013/14 financial year,” said SIA’s spokesman.
SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong added: “Together with the additional [Airbus] A380s that we are taking delivery of this year, as well as A350s and 787s on order for the years ahead, the lease of the A330s is consistent with our longstanding policy of operating a young and modern fleet.”
The spokesman said that SIA has not decided on the aircraft for its new long-haul low-cost subsidiary, which is due to begin operations within the next year. The airline has said that it would initially provide aircraft to the subsidiary, but the spokesman reiterated that these A330s are for the full service carrier’s operations.
Receiving more A330s, however, would allow SIA to transfer some 777-200s in its fleet to the new subsidiary. These 777s could be upgraded to have an extended range and their cabin can be retrofitted for the low-cost operations, said industry sources.
By: Joemicroman - 30th June 2011 at 22:09
Good to see more A330 orders. Really like the Singapore livery on the A330 too.
Joe
By: ThreeSpool - 29th June 2011 at 15:00
To get the MTOW increase you would need to add the centre gear from the A340-200/-300.
By: Ship 741 - 29th June 2011 at 14:48
The 330 is a nice competitor for the lower end of the 777 range of airplanes. It would be even better if Airbus would up the MTOW by 20 or 30,000lbs.
I guess its a good win for RR to get these 15 airplanes.
It looks like SIA is becoming a pretty loyal Airbus customer. I hope they don’t have any safety problems with the 330…..it seems to have had a more checkered history than the 777, since the only 777 hull loss to date was caused by a poorly designed Fuel/Oil Heat Exchanger on a RR engine……:diablo:
Sign In
June 29, 2011 at 11:57 am