The commonality issue is a big draw and cost savings for an airline. We’ve seen it quite a few times in the last couple years here in the US with airlines going into bankrupcy. One of the common cost saving plans they introduce is the elimination of fleet types so they can lower their operating costs. AA ditched their Fokker’s which meant eliminating their parts inventory, maintenance bases and crew specific training (ie Simulators which are big $$ to buy and maintain). CO eliminated their MD80’s which were replaced with their 737NG orders and also picked up some 753’s from ATA which fit right in with their current 75/767 fleet. I don’t know specific numbers but I’ve heard from management a few times that adding a new fleet type has a rather expense startup cost and long term MX cost along with it.
But, some fleet new fleet types bring capabilities not found in their current A or B fleet or A/B product which makes adding them worth the startup costs. I can’t imagine that opting for the A350 vs. B787 having that big of a difference between the initial startup costs even if you already have A or B fleets (new simulators, new crew/mechanic training, new parts). Now their might be some long term savings if A350 or B787 parts can be used with other aircraft types already in your inventory but there can be operating cost savings in a B vs. A product that offset adding a whole new fleet/manufacturer.
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