Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Qantas Airways is set to be the next airline to decide between the Airbus Industrie A3XX and Boeing 747X as launch customer Singapore Airlines nears a critical decision on selecting what will be the lead certification powerplant for the new European ultra-large-capacity aircraft.
According to sources, the Australian carrier is already believed to have decided on ordering up to 12 A3XX's, with up to six options, for delivery from 2006. The selection is still subject to board approval, which is not expected before 18 October.
Qantas chief executive James Strong acknowledged in late June that the airline was discussing an order for a large new aircraft and that the A3XX's payload/range performance made it an "appealing option." Qantas, which holds "letters of interest" with Airbus for 10 A3XX's, has a more immediate need for extra long-haul capacity to the USA and Europe and is looking at an interim purchase of around three increased gross weight 747-400X's for delivery in 2002.
SIA is also planning an interim order for up to six additional 747-400 freighters plus nine options. The deal serves as a consolation prize for Boeing after the Singapore carrier rejected the proposed 747X derivative in favour of a provisional order for 10 A3XX passenger aircraft and 25 options (Flight International 3-9 October).
The focus of the SIA competition has since switched from the airframe to selecting a powerplant for the A3XX's. The carrier is due by mid-October to choose between purchasing the General Electric/Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance GP7000 engine and Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine.
Winning in Singapore is of strategic importance to the Alliance and R-R as it will determine the lead certification engine for the programme and first six months worth of A3XX production, or the equivalent of 18-19 aircraft. Also at stake is an engine order from Emirates, which, as part of its proposed buy of seven A3XX's, will take the third aircraft off the production line. The deal appears to resting on whichever company is prepared to offer SIA the greatest level of discounts, which have already topped 90%. In this respect R-R is understood to have the edge over the Alliance, but an offer of A3XX financing from GE Capital Aviation Services could swing the deal for the GP7000.
An important factor in SIA's airframe and engine decision, as well as Qantas' pending selection, is meeting anticipated tough new Quota Count 2 (QC2) noise restrictions at London Heathrow Airport. The two engine manufacturers are looking to increase the fan diameter of their respective powerplants to 2.92m (9.6ft) to meet the lower 93-95.9 EPNdB limit for take-off.
Airbus is also refining the design of the A3XX's landing gear and flaps to meet QC2, particularly on approach. It concedes this is a "must for SIA," which has pushed back the first planned delivery from October 2005 to March 2006. It adds that QC2 has always been its goal and configuring the A3XX to meet this is a "continual process."
Source: Flight International
