Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is under fire for not prioritizing the modernization of the airline’s aging fleet. With an average age of 15 years, Qantas’ fleet is the oldest among major international airlines in Australia. As the company awaits the delivery of new aircraft to replace its outdated A330s, let’s delve into the concerns and the plans for fleet rejuvenation.
Qantas Fleet: A Comparison with Regional Competitors
Qantas operates a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with the following composition:
| Aircraft | Quantity in fleet | Average age | Age of oldest in fleet | Age of youngest in fleet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A330-200 | 18 | 15 years | 21 years | 11 years |
| Airbus A330-300 | 10 | 18.7 years | 20 years | 18 years |
| Airbus A380-800 | 11 | 13.6 years | 15 years | 12 years |
| Boeing 737-800 | 75 | 15 years | 21 years | 9 years |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | 11 | 4.1 years | 6 years | 4 years |
In comparison, regional competitors like Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines have an average aircraft age of around 10 years, placing Qantas at a noticeable disadvantage.
The A330s predominantly serve domestic flights within Australia, long-haul flights to Asia, and Hawaii, while the A380s cater to flights to Singapore, the United States, and occasionally Hong Kong. The 737s operate on Oceanic routes such as New Zealand, and the 787s fly to Europe and supplement the A380 on American routes.
Upgrading and Expanding: Qantas’ Roadmap for Modernization
Despite the backlash, Qantas has initiated steps to update its fleet. The airline is expecting the delivery of three additional 787s in the coming weeks after facing several delays. Moreover, Qantas ordered 12 A350s, 20 A321XLRs, and 20 A220s in May last year. The A321XLRs and A220s will replace the A330s on domestic routes, and the A350s and 787s will be used for international routes.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce remains optimistic about the fleet update, asserting, “We’re at the start of a major update of the Qantas Group fleet that will unlock a lot of benefits. The aircraft we have on order will help us lower emissions, expand our network, create new jobs and ultimately serve our customers better… We’re fortunate to have the scale and the balance sheet to make these decisions, as well as a lot of flexibility in our fleet plan to make adjustments as we need to.”
The Future of Qantas: A Commitment to Improvement
As criticism mounts over Qantas’ aging fleet, the airline’s plans for modernization and expansion demonstrate a dedication to addressing these issues. With new aircraft on the way, Qantas is poised to improve customer experience, reduce emissions, and generate more job opportunities in the years to come.
Source: Simple Flying
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
