David Eyre 14 October 2013 © David Eyre
Qantas Airways is examining possible replacements for its Boeing 717s, 737-800s, and 747-400s.
For the replacement of its 14 Boeing 717s operated by regional arm QantasLink, Qantas is considering the Airbus A319neo, Boeing 737 MAX 7, Bombardier CSeries and the Embraer E-Jet family.
For 737-800 replacements, Qantas is assessing the 737 Max and Airbus A320/A321neo. Qantas currently has 60 Boeing 737-800s in service and 8 more on order, and 78 A320neos have been ordered for Jetstar and its Asian affiliates, to replace their earlier A320s.
For 747-400 replacements, Qantas is examining a mix of widebody aircraft, such as the Airbus A330, A350 and A380, and the Boeing 787 and 777-X. Qantas currently has 15 747-400s in service, including six Boeing 747-400ER aircraft. The airline already operates the Airbus A330-200 and -300, and Airbus A380. Jetstar has 14 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners on order, one of which was recently delivered (VH-VKA). Qantas has 20 options and 30 purchase rights for Boeing 787s that can be used for any version, but these will only be converted to firm orders if and when the International division becomes profitable, with delivery expected from 2017.
By FY2016, Qantas Group plans to have completed retirement of its fleet of Boeing 737-400 (replaced by Boeing 737-800) and Boeing 767-300ER (replaced by Airbus A330-200), leaving it with seven aircraft types, including those operated by Jetstar.
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