Thursday, January 22, 2015

Boeing reportedly in talks to postpone deliveries to Russian carriers

Transaero Airlines 737-86J (36119/3750) EI-UNK arrives at London-Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) on October 18, 2011.
(Photo by James Mepsted)

Boeing has begun discussions with Russian airlines about postponing deliveries planned for 2016, Bloomberg reported, quoting Boeing VP-global sales John Wojick. He said scheduled deliveries for 2015 will be fulfilled as it’s too late for the US manufacturer to adjust the schedules.

However, Boeing is in discussions with Transaero about finding an alternate solution for two 747-8 deliveries planned for this year. Last year, the carrier canceled its order for four 787-8s and moved the 747-8 delivery from 2016 to 2015.

According to Wojick, Russia accounts for less than 10% of Boeing’s total commercial aircraft sales.

At the beginning of December, Aeroflot CEO Vitaly Saveliev told TASS news agency that Russia’s biggest carriers must develop a joint fleet reduction plan because the “planes fly half-empty.”

However, Saveliev did not disclose Aeroflot’s plans to postpone deliveries.

Transaero and UTair responded by saying they will optimize their fleets independently without coordination with other carriers.

Also in December, UTair announced a 40% fleet cut. It plans to ground six Boeing 737-800s, leaving nine of the type in its fleet. It will stop using two 767s and the entire fleet of 15 Bombardier CRJs.
 
The airline also does not intend to use six leased Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ100s). The airline plans to ground all 12 Airbus A321s. It will also stop operating 11 757s, as part of these aircraft types are transferring to UTair’s charter subdivision. It will continue to operate 34 Boeing aircraft—most of which are 737-500s—and 15 ATRs.

(Polina Montag-Girmes - ATWOnline News)

No comments: