Air Canada is in talks with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) to be the launch customer for blended winglets on the Boeing 767-300ER. "We will look to be the initial customer for winglets on these aircraft to provide enhanced fuel burn of just about 5%," says Robert Milton, chief executive of Air Canada's parent ACE Aviation Holdings.
The airline hopes to install the winglets as part of a plan to rejuvenate its fleet of 43 Boeing 767-200s and 767-300ERs, which Air Canada plans to operate until deliveries of its newly ordered Boeing 787s begin in 2010. The decision on the winglets will probably be finalised this year, with installation starting in 2006, the airline says.
APB vice-president of sales and contracts Patrick LeMoria says the company has been talking to all major operators of the 767-300ER and that the discussions with Air Canada are currently the most advanced.
The winglet specialist has completed its product development study on the winglet, defining its geometry and preliminary performance data. Seattle-based APB now needs a launch customer and flight-test vehicle before proceeding to certification, which will take about 18 months, says LeMoria.
Milton says the carrier will spend about C$5 million ($4 million) per aircraft on refurbishing the 767 fleet's interiors, installing new in-flight entertainment systems and adding winglets.
Air Canada hopes to offset the cost of the fleet renewal plan it announced last month by selling its 767s, Airbus A330s and A340s.
ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/VANCOUVER
Source: Flight International
