Flag-carrier British Airways has launched a tender for future long haul aircraft. The request for proposal documents (RFP) have been sent to Airbus and Boeing and engine manufacturers Engine Alliance, General Electric and Rolls Royce among others.
Orders are expected to start next year, subject to the RFP result. British Airways CEO Willie Walsh said: ”Launching the competition highlights the need for us to address our ”2.1bn ($3.92bn) pension deficit. It is a major blocker to growth and investment in our business but I am confident we will resolve it.
”With a combination of firm orders and options, we are planning for both growth and fleet replacement into the next decade. Environmental performance will be one of the key criteria in our choice ensuring greater fuel efficiency, reduced noise and emissions. The first aircraft to be replaced are the 20 Boeing 747s and 14 Boeing 767s, which will be around 25 years old,” he said.