Singapore Airlines has put an order in both with Airbus and Boeing for 30 each of the following:
- The Airbus A350-1000
- The Boeing 787-10X
This will make Singapore Airlines the Launch Customer for the 787-10X series, whilst at the same time another major airline selecting the A350-1000 for it’s long haul fleet
The 787-10X is still in the planning stage, but will be a 320 seater aircraft – a double stretch of the current Boeing 787-8 (the first stretch being the 787-9 which is being launched by Air New Zealand).
Singapore Airlines are fighting the Low Cost Carrier’s (both with an LCC and with a better product) as they stretch themselves over Asia.
Goh Choon Phong – Chief Executive of Singapore Airlines states:
“They demonstrate our commitment to the Singapore hub and our confidence in the future for premium full-service travel
Today’s aircraft orders are among the biggest in Singapore Airlines’ history, helping to ensure that we retain our industry leading position.”
The 787-10X’s will be targeted for the busy intra-Asia routes, whilst the A350-1000’s will be for longer range/high capacity routes.
Boeing has yet to launch the 787-10X formally as “for sale” product – this sale is provisional upon the programme being approved. Rumor-mill is expecting a formal launch of the 787-10X at the Paris Air Show.
The choice of the A350-1000 will also have Boeing digging its product list, as it prepares to consider launching the 777-8X and and 777-9X long range liners as the next generation of Boeing’s popular 777 aircraft range.
Singapore Airlines has a considerable interest in the A350 project – as it has 40 of the baseline A350-900 on order, with 20 options which are convertible to the larger model.
