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Aviation History
1984
1984 - 0041.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT Industry predicts '85 turnaround LONDON "The upturn will come in early 1985." That is the unan imous opinion of the world's six largest commercial airliner manufacturers. Despite big orders from Japan Air Lines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Pacific Southwest Airlines, 1983 was a disap pointing year for the manu facturers. Combined orders in 1983 amounted to 252, compared with 229 in the previous year. In the late Seventies orders were averaging about 700 jet airliners, but with more and more airlines buying second hand aircraft because they lack the finance to purchase new equipment the manu facturers' orderbooks do not look as healthy. Last year saw Boeing pick up more orders for its 767 and 757 twinjets and interest in Airbus' planned 150-seater A320 increased significantly following orders from British Caledonian, Air Inter, and Inex-Adria. Late last year Airbus finally secured the Thai International order for two long-range A310-300s, beating Boeing bids. Airbus now claims that it holds 38 per cent of the widebody market. Boeing is quick to point out that in 1983 the European consortium took orders for only six A310s. Boeing, however, has sold more of every type it builds, a spokes man said. Despite a poor start orders for British Aerospace's 146 picked up in 1983. The recent order for 20 of the type plus 25 options from California's PSA was a triumph for US regional PBA is the first carrier to operate the newest version of the Bandeirante, the EMB-110-PIA. The tailplane has 10° dihedral, improved cabin acoustic lining, a new emergency exit, and minor mods British Aerospace. Fokker announced new developments to its F.28 and F.27 airliners in 1983-the Pokker 50 and 100, (seeFlight, December 3, 1983, page 1455). The company sees a market potential for 750 aircraft in the 100-seat Fokker 100 class and for 1,250 Fokker 50 (50 seat)-sized turboprops. McDonnell Douglas dropped its plans to build the MD-100, a modified version of the DC-10, in the belief that there was not a profitable market for such an aircraft, but it is pushing ahead with production of its highly successful MD-80. Although it will stop manu facturing L-1011 TriStars in late 1984 Lockheed expects the commercial airliner mar ket to perk up in early 1985. Lockheed is concentrating its efforts on the manufacture of the civil and military Hercules turboprop, but nevertheless believes the TriStar will remain in active service for many years to come. Commercial jet airliner orders Manufacturer Airbus Industrie A300 A310 A320 Boeing 727 737 747 757 767 British Aerospace 146 Fokker F.28 Lockheed L-1011 TriStar McDonnell Douglas DC-10 DC-9 Super 80 Totals Orders 1983 2 6 29 1 69 24 26 16 24 7 5 1 42 252 1982 3 14 — 11 72 14 4 4 4 25 — —. 78 229 Total ordered (all versions of type) 244 108 47 1.831 1.121 619 149 185 38 210 249 427 228 5,456 Total delivered 233 17 1,823 1,000 588 27 75 10 199 244 386 143 4,745 A300 wins second US operator FORT LAUDERDALE Northeastern International Airways of Fort Lauderdale is to operate Airbus A300s from next month. The Florida carrier, which began oper ations in February 1982, plans to acquire two second-hand A300s from Airbus in June. Until those aircraft become available it will lease two A300s from Lufthansa. Northeastern will thus become the second US carrier to operate the type, near- neighbour Eastern at Miami already possessing the world's largest A300 fleet. There has been much recent industry speculation that the number of second-hand A300s becoming available, and the fact that there are at least 15 new white-tails built against cancelled orders, might make the type a very attractive low- priced proposition to US carriers wishing to increase capacity at slot-constrained American airports. North- eastern's decision to operate the type is the first evidence that this could happen. Airbus is now hoping for more US market penetration in the next few months, particularly among "new entrant" airlines. The Northeastern option for two A300s, if firmed up as planned, will involve two more ex-Lufthansa aircraft. The West German flag carrier is taking delivery of seven A310s in the next few months, and as part of this deal it is trading in its five oldest A300s. The Florida carrier will begin A300 services on Febru ary 9, using the two leased aircraft for flights linking its three Florida destinations with New Orleans and New York. The A300B2-lCs will be fitted with 314 seats in single-class economy layout. BAF wins oil contract ABERDEEN British Air Ferries has been awarded a 12-month North Sea oil-support contract by Shell Exploration. The £5 million deal covers four flights a day in each direction between Aberdeen and Sumburgh. BAF will use Viscounts for the charter. Inter City Airlines origi nally held the contract, but on that airline's demise, BAF took it over on a temporary basis. BAF commercial direc tor Mike Kay says that the airline wants to develop its Aberdeen and Sumburgh bases, because it believes there will be a move towards more fixed-wing North Sea operations. FLIGHT International, 14 January 1984 53
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