Qantas reports that it has reached mutual agreement with Boeing to defer the delivery of 15 Boeing 787-8s by four years and cancel orders for 15 787-9s scheduled for delivery in 2014-15.
Qantas chief executive officer, Alan Joyce, said the changes to the Group's 787 orders were appropriate in the current climate, and that discussions with Boeing, which began some months ago, had not been influenced by the announcement this week of a design issue and further delay to the aircraft's first flight.
"The latest delay is disappointing, but we do not expect it to impact the Qantas Group given these changes to our delivery programme. We remain committed to the aircraft as the right choice - for Jetstar's future international expansion, Qantas' growth and as a replacement for Qantas's 767-300 fleet."
The changes will see: Qantas Group firm orders reduce from 65 to 50 aircraft, comprising 35 B787-9s and 15 B787-8s; the Group's first 15 aircraft - 787-9s for Jetstar's international operations - delivered from mid-2013, around three years later than planned. Jetstar was to take delivery of 15 smaller B787-8s in mid-2010; 15 787-8s follow over the 12 months from the fourth quarter of 2014 for Qantas's Australian domestic operations and to retire the remaining 767-300 fleet; remaining deliveries, of 20 787-9s for both Qantas and Jetstar international operations, take place from the fourth quarter of 2015 through to 2017; and Qantas retain the ability to purchase up to 50 additional aircraft.
Joyce said the cancellation of 15 787-9s would reduce the group's aircraft capital expenditure by $3 billion based on current list prices.
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