SIA places huge aircraft order
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Singapore Airlines has placed major new aircraft orders with Airbus and Boeing, which will see it significantly expand its long-haul fleet.
The airline has sealed a deal with Airbus to purchase up to 50 more Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, while an agreement with Boeing will see SIA receive 30 B787-10X aircraft – the longest version of its fuel-efficient Dreamliner.
The two deals have a combined value of more than US$17 billion, at current list prices.
“Today’s aircraft orders are among the biggest in Singapore Airlines’ history, helping to ensure that we retain our industry leading position. They demonstrate our commitment to the Singapore hub and our confidence in the future for premium full-service travel,” said SIA’s CEO, Goh Choon Phong.
“These new aircraft will provide opportunities to grow and renew our fleet and enhance our network; benefiting customers by offering more travel options and the latest in-flight cabin products.”
The Airbus deal includes a firm order for 30 more A350-900s plus options for a further 20 aircraft, which can either be the standard -900 model or the larger A350-1000.
The arrangement with Boeing meanwhile, is dependent on the US planemaker actually putting the B787-10 X aircraft into production. The original B787-8 Dreamliner was launched in 2011 and Boeing plans to roll-out the longer B787-9 in 2014, with Air New Zealand as its launch customer. Work has still not started on the B787-10, although Boeing has previously suggested that it plans to launch the aircraft before the end of the decade.
Along with the B787-10Xs and A350s, SIA also has outstanding orders for 15 A330-300s, five A380s and eight B777-300ERs.
