Well it seems Qantas is trying to save money “any way possible”, with the announcement that they will be deferring delivery of the first of their 787 fleet as a way of reducing capital expenditure.
Qantas cites the delays by Boeing to actually deliver aircrft as a good excuse, with savings that are not inconsiderable. Well the odd million Aussie dollars to Qantas can be lost down the back of the sofa easily I suppose.
Boeing was due to deliver Qantas’s first three of 15 787-8s in 2012 – which in turn were due for delivery in 2010.
The Dreamliner itself failed to enter public service until last October. However for Qantas fans, a slightly concerning thing: no new delivery date has been set.
As Qantas has projected savings into 2012 and 2013, I would not expect to see these aircraft for some time to come.
In additional news, the fleet will be redeployed, with A330’s taking more work on both domesticity and internationally, whilst the A380 fleet will reach 12 units this year – enough to retire the two more 747-400’s and allow that fleet to be reduced to nine frames.
Tough times indeed for the Australian flag carrier. And to show how tough it is, Air Australia has entered “Voluntary Administration” today citing a lack of funds to operate.