Qantas Airways has reached a deal with Boeing to bring forward delivery of eight Boeing 787-8s, so its low-cost carrier Jetstar can start operating the aircraft in mid-2012.
The Oneworld carrier has 50 787s on order and the first was due to be delivered in 2014, but Qantas now says the first will be delivered in mid-2012. Altogether eight 787-8s on order have been brought forward by about two years, it says.
These will be assigned to Jetstar which plans to use the aircraft for international flights to Asia and southern Europe and to replace its Airbus A330s.
Qantas says the remaining seven 787-8s and 35 787-9s on order will be delivered from 2014.
Jetstar will have 25 787s altogether and the other 25 787s will be for Qantas mainline.
Qantas plans to use the 787s and A330s for domestic flights and international services to Asia. These aircraft will replace its Boeing 767s, adds Qantas.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
