Intanto il CEO di KQ mostra il suo disappunto per i ritardi del 787, non esclude nemmeno che si possa passare ad Airbus per rinnovare la flotta di lungo raggio. I 6 787 erano previsti inizialmente dal 2010 per rimpiazzare i 767, adesso si parla di 2013 salvo ulteriori ritardi. Ritardi che comportano comunque spese aggiuntive per riammodernare le cabine dei 767, nel caso in cui questi rimangano più a lungo del previsto.
La compagnia ha comunque piani molto ambiziosi : lanciare una nuova destinazione al mese (!) per i prossimi tre anni, espandere il network in Europa, Asia e sbarcare in America Latina. Inoltre l'obiettivo è raggiungere ogni capitale del continente africano.
Kenya Airways considers canceling 787s, claims first delivery delayed 3 months
By Cathy Buyck | August 27, 2010
Kenya Airways Group MD and CEO Titus Naikuni said the carrier is considering canceling the nine 787s it has on order, and claimed Boeing has informed him that the Dreamliner's first delivery to ANA will be delayed another three months.
The manufacturer continues to target the 2010 fourth quarter for the first 787 delivery but has warned several times that first deliveries could slip into 2011 (ATW Daily News, Aug. 11). Boeing did not respond yesterday to a request for comment.
Speaking to ATW at KQ's Nairobi headquarters, Naikuni said he is already in discussions with Airbus regarding ordering A330s as a replacement for the 787s."Yes, I would dare canceling the [787] order," he said. "If [Boeing] can't deliver, we will cancel. We will take a decision [on whether to] go with Airbus or stay with Boeing before the end of the year."
He added that he spoke to Boeing representatives "this morning and they informed me there is a further three-month delay in the first deliveries." He pointed out that a delay in first deliveries "would not [necessarily] affect our first deliveries, which are scheduled for around 2013." But he acknowledged that KQ "can only confirm" its delivery schedule "after the first delivery" to ANA takes place.
KQ's initial order for six 787s plus six options was placed in March 2006 with deliveries of its first two scheduled for September 2010. The airline later converted three of its six options to firm orders. The 787s are part of the carrier's fleet modernization and expansion plan, and are slated to replace its aging 767s. While KQ has some flexibility in retaining its 767s, their interiors and IFE would need to be upgraded at a major cost if they remain in the fleet for an extended period, the CEO said.
Naikuni noted Boeing has not offered compensation for the delayed 787 deliveries nor offered to participate in 767 retrofits, "which is very disappointing." If KQ were to order A330s, it would mark its first ever Airbus purchase. It currently operates 29 aircraft including four 777-200ERs, six 767-300ERs, 14 737s and five E-170LRs. "We are mainly a Boeing operator, but it is doable to switch to Airbus," he said.
The carrier's expansion plans are ambitious and COO Bram Stellar said KQ will need additional aircraft even if the 787s are delivered in a reasonable timeframe.
"The plan is to launch a new destination each month for the next three years," he told ATW. "We want to fly to each capital in Africa, add more destinations in Europe [and] Asia and commence operations to Latin America." Sao Paulo is earmarked as its first Latin American destination and Kuala Lumpur is a possible addition in Asia. KQ launched several new destinations this year, including Muscat in June, Juba in July and Luanda this month, lifting its network to 50 points.
Next month it will launch services to Maputo, followed by N'Djamena in October, Jeddah and Malinde in November and Rome Fiumicino in December.
FCO will become its fourth destination in Europe. It also has secured two additional slots at London Heathrow, which will allow it to increase Nairobi-LHR frequencies to nine per week for its coming winter schedule.
- ATWOnline -
http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engin...s-canceling-787s-claims-first-delivery-delaye
......ottima notizia...grazie adriano e andrea!
