747-8I Order Drought To End
As the Farnborough Air Show draws near, the work behind the scenes for a certain airplane has also drawn significant interest.
After losing the most eagerly awaited fleet replacement order of 2007, British Airways’ decision to select the Airbus A380-800 was met with surprise and questions were raised about the future of the 747. While the 747-8F has notched up a variety of customers, its sister ship, the 747-8 Intercontinental has thus far, Lufthansa as its sole customer (aside from several VIP orders too).
But that landscape may change in the future.
With airline discussions having gone on for many months now, FleetBuzz Editorial.com can reveal that Etihad Airways is one of the key customers that may be a 747-8I customer by the end of this year.
Image copyright of FleetBuzz Editorial.com
Sources within the airline confirmed that an order evaluation is to be announced during 2008, but did state that the 777-300ER will likely get the nod for its future needs. Speculation has also been rife that the 35 unidentified 787’s ordered earlier this year are also for the Abu Dhabi based airline.
Etihad also operates the gas guzzling A340-600 model, one of which was destroyed prior to delivery at Toulouse late last year.
Ironically, Arab rival Qatar Airways is poised to dump its inefficient A340 fleet as it takes more 777’s - Etihad is also likely to do the same while oil/fuel costs continue to rise.
Campaigns at other carriers for the 747-8I continue and Boeing doesn’t rule out the possibility of garnering more orders for its most iconic product. Securing Etihad would not not only be a boost to the 747, but the Arab carrier would be able to take delivery of the said model before the A380’s it has ordered, due for delivery during 2013.
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10 comments May 16th, 2008
