As delays to the 787 project continue to mount up, Airlines are beginning to disclose how the 787 delays are affecting them
First up is LAN who has an outstanding order of 26 ordered frames and 6 leased frames with the first two due this year. As Boeing hasn’t got a hope in hell of getting them out of the factory in time, LAN is looking to acquire more 767’s in the mean time.
LAN is hoping for the delivery to occur in 2012, but isn’t holding it’s breath as no new delivery schedule has been announced.
“There have been additional delays in this plane but we have not yet confirmed a new delivery schedule,” LAN CFO Alejandro de la Fuente explained to analysts during a 26 January conference call.
“Nevertheless we are evaluating alternatives to bridge this gap caused by this delay of the aircraft and compensate the impact it will have on our long-haul growth plans.”
Whilst the 767 is an option on the table, other types are being considered dependning on the mission they’re needed for – so this could open the way for 777-200’s, A330’s or A340’s in the mean time.
Alas, if LAN wanted compensation for the order, the only way they’d get it is to cancel their order with Boeing. Which isn’t going to happen.
Meanwhile Jetstar is in exactly the same boat, with it’s deliveries of Boeing 787’s delayed to late 2013 with Boeing informing them of a 6 month delay to their aircraft.
Qantas ordered 50 frames – 25 for mainline, 25 for Jetstar, with the first frames brought forward to a 2012 delivery date. Now it seems things are slowing down due to the continued problems of the 787 project.
Jetstar is planning to cope as it has A330 capacity arriving before the 787’s turn up – with 4 frames being delivered to the airline.
As expected, the new delays are coming out. However – these aren’t “the big blows” that are expected. I’m still awaiting the thoughts of Middle Eastern and other Asian airlines who have big orders riding on the 787 project, and who are seeing planes delayed day by day…
