British Airways has taken the first step towards expanding its long haul fleet by ordering four Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft for delivery during early 2009. The airline has also taken out options on four Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft for delivery in 2010.
British Airways commercial director Robert Boyle said: ”These new aircraft will enable us to grow our long haul business after we move to Terminal 5”.
”It was a close decision between the Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s. However, the ease of assimilating up to eight aircraft into our existing 777 fleet, rather than having a small number of A330s, swung the balance in Boeing”s favour,” he added in a statement. However the chances of BA going for the Airbus rather than the very successful and wider 777 were considered by industry experts as remote.
”We are confident of a similarly competitive approach from both manufacturers as we move towards our major long haul fleet renewal and expansion order later this year.”
Negotiations continue with GE and Rolls-Royce about which engines will be used on the new Boeing 777 aircraft. BA”s original 777s have GE engines, but all the later ones are now equipped with the Rolls-Royce Trent 800. British Airways has 43 Boeing 777 aircraft in its fleet of which 27 are GE equipped and 16 Rolls-Royce. The airline”s other long haul aircraft are 57 Boeing 747-400 and 14 Boeing 767-300.
The airline”s competition for additional and replacement long haul aircraft continues with the Airbus A330, A350, A380 and Boeing 787, 777 and 747-8 all possibilities. The first aircraft to be replaced will be 20 Boeing 747s and 14 Boeing 767s, the oldest of which are currently 17 years” old. Even more 777s are the strongest likelihood with the 748-8 in the race and the A380 a late addition. The still to be confirmed A350 is unlikely to be ready in time with the early delivery positions already taken.