British Airways plans to order widebody (twin-aisle) aircraft this year even though it is facing record fuel prices and weakening consumer demand. Chris Avery, an analyst at JP Morgan said: 'The delivery dates will be so far out that a recession won't matter.'
Chief Executive Willie Walsh told Bloomberg today that the airline is considering orders of Boeing's 777-300ER as well as the 787-10, a stretched version of Boeing's new and much delayed composite jet. Boeing has yet to formally offer the 787-10. Mr Walsh also revealled the airline is interested in Airbus's A350 XWB-1000.
BA has a program to replace 57 four-engine Boeing 747 aircraft and 21 twin-engine 767s. The London-based carrier satisfied part of that requirement in September with an order for 36 planes from the two manufacturers, including 24 Dreamliners and 12 of Airbus's double-decker A380.
The 787 would be the 'perfect' aircraft to help British Airways expand into South America, where it doesn't have much presence, Mr Walsh said. |
