According to the WSJ - Delta is considering changing its current inherited 787 order down from 18 of the early model planes. In their place DL wants more 777s particularly the dash 200LR model.
DL according to the report feels that the current plethora of 767-300s is more than adequate along with the A330s. It is likely that DL will switch its order although the timing isn't known at this time.
Now I would be remiss if I didn't point out that DL has never been consistent with its orders of airplanes. It has a long history of changing its mine. Witness the early model 747s it had. Witness the hot and cold attitude to the A300/310 family.
One thing is for sure... DL will be dumping the 747s pretty soon.
Interestingly this may actually portend an uptick for the chances of a DL order for A380. Consider that the world's largest airline by passengers - it has several key trunk routes.
NYC-LHR
LAX-NRT
DTW-AMS
NYC-AMS
NYC-PAR
NYC-NRT
These are routes currently served by 747s or with multiple services per day. In particular it should be remembered that two of Skyteam's other large partners also will be operating A380s - Korean Airlines and Air France. Hmmm that would be interesting. Clearly something that has not escaped our friends from Airbus. As a Delta has previously stated... ... the complexity of its merged fleet and route network will lead it to consider aircraft from Airbus and other manufacturers, too. Before its merger with Northwest, Delta flew only aircraft made by Boeing companies based on a previous pact when as a solo carrier it committed to a Boeing only fleet (as did AMR and Continental for their mainline fleets).
No comments:
Post a Comment