Insight into BA's longhaul fleet renewal?

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19 years 8 months

Posts: 741

British Airways investor day had a little bit of a suprise!

Willie Walsh announced he has taken options on 10 B777 for delivery between 2009/2010, ableit the model was unspecified.

Also more bad news for the employees... Willie Walsh also announch his first ever financial plan for the next 2 years, upto when BA moves into T5. He wants to slash another £450million from the airlines costs which will mean widescale joblosses across the company.

Walsh also announced a £200million investment for improvements to the BA.COM website and also better ClubWorld seats and new IFE across all 4 cabins (First,Club,WorldTrav+ and World Trav) with films on demand.

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Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 2,343

British Airways investor day had a little bit of a suprise!

Willie Walsh announced he has taken options on 10 B777 for delivery between 2009/2010, ableit the model was unspecified.

Also more bad news for the employees... Willie Walsh also announch his first ever financial plan for the next 2 years, upto when BA moves into T5. He wants to slash another £450million from the airlines costs which will mean widescale joblosses across the company.

Walsh also announced a £200million investment for improvements to the BA.COM website and also better ClubWorld seats and new IFE across all 4 cabins (First,Club,WorldTrav+ and World Trav) with films on demand.

Ummm. Could be interesting. I think Willie is actually doing what BA should of done many years ago! Btw, my friend has just become a BA shareholder, although he only owns 1 share valued at 25p (lol!) he does get to go to the AGM!

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 784

Hi

Looks like BA are going for 20 of the Boeing 777-300er's to replace the older B747-400's

Also the new Boeing 787-9 & 10 series have been mentioned to replace the ageing B767 fleet.

Heres a press release from ATWOnline.

New business plan, cost cuts, 777 purchase on BA's horizon
Friday March 10, 2006

British Airways yesterday unveiled its newest two-year business plan aimed at driving down costs and strengthening customer service.The plan takes effect at the end of this month and continues through March 2008, when BA moves into the new Terminal 5 at London Heathrow. The program, the first since Willie Walsh became chief executive in March 2005, includes cost reductions of £450 million ($781.5 million), of which £225 million will come in FY07 and a further £225 million the following year. It also foresees the investment of nearly £200 million in a new Club World seat, on-demand films in all cabins and its website.

"This plan will make us fit for the future. By resolving our pensions deficit, reducing cost and delivering world-class customer service, we can make a 10% operating margin a sustainable reality," Walsh said. "Better management of our costs and having an absolute focus on customer needs will give us a lasting platform for success."

BA reiterated its forecast of 4%-5% revenue growth, driven by increased capacity and seat factor, for FY07, which starts April 1. Total costs for the period, excluding fuel, are expected to remain flat, with increases offset by the new cuts. It expects its fuel bill to rise by some £400 million.

Separately, BA insiders confirmed to ATWOnline that the airline is in an advanced stage of negotiations with Boeing for up to 20 777-300ERs to replace some early delivery 747s from 2008. Former BA CEO Rod Eddington told this website that his preferred option was for dash 300ERs to replace 747-400s.

It also is understood that the carrier is discussing the proposed 787-9 and 787-10 along with the A350 as a longer-term replacement for its 767s. Key to acquisitions is a reduction in BA's debt, which it forecasts will be lowered to under £2 billion this month.

by Cathy Buyck and Geoffrey Thomas

Member for

18 years 3 months

Posts: 159

oww i always wanted Ba to get the A380 or the A350 but who knows they might extend in the next few years i hope this is just the start of an upgrade in the fleet

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 565

I find it strange that BA looks to america for aircraft,when alot of british jobs depend on airbus & it's success,I expect the A380 to be ordered along with the A350,& 777's to fill the gaps.

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 4,887

I find it strange that BA looks to america for aircraft,when alot of british jobs depend on airbus & it's success,I expect the A380 to be ordered along with the A350,& 777's to fill the gaps.

BA is not state owned and therefor does not care about jobs arund the UK. It only cares about profits, and rightly so.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 11,159

BA is not state owned and therefor does not care about jobs arund the UK. It only cares about profits, and rightly so.

Not much is state owned in the UK anymore, thank you Mrs T.

From an enthusiasts view I'd like to see some Airbus long haul products in BA colours, politically though as you suggest they have no particular side to fall upon other than the one that offers the best financial deal.

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 1,064

Not much is state owned in the UK anymore, thank you Mrs T.

From an enthusiasts view I'd like to see some Airbus long haul products in BA colours, politically though as you suggest they have no particular side to fall upon other than the one that offers the best financial deal.

I doubt the A380 will be ordered, B748, thats IF any large aircraft are ordered, and I doubt that'd be in any large quantity.

Sure BA couldnt care less about promoting UK jobs I remember Willie Walsh was a bit of a Pro-Airbus over at Aer Lingus.

Nothing in this country is state owned, nor even British owned at all - real shame, even BAA is entering spanish ownership.

Member for

20 years 2 months

Posts: 518

Just to clarify, these are options, and not orders. Although origionally the option is for the B777, there is the provision for this to be changed to the B787. Seems that no firm decision will be made (public) for a while yet.

Member for

19 years 8 months

Posts: 741

I find it strange that BA looks to america for aircraft,when alot of british jobs depend on airbus & it's success,I expect the A380 to be ordered along with the A350,& 777's to fill the gaps.

I will think you will find that BAe does alot of work for Boeing, especially in the wing design area, so what ever happens, British jobs will benefit either way...As the old saying goes.."why put all of you eggs into one basket"

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 108

Is it possible to take options without placing a firm order? (Is there a deposit involved still?)

Or what would prevent me from taking options on a few 772LRs... I'm a college student with far, far less than the $150 million sticker on the 77C. :D

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18 years 4 months

Posts: 36

are they really going to spend 200 million on their website :/

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 10,625

I find it strange that BA looks to america for aircraft,when alot of british jobs depend on airbus & it's success,I expect the A380 to be ordered along with the A350,& 777's to fill the gaps.

And I suppose you also think all british civilians should drive only Vauxhall cars?

Member for

19 years 11 months

Posts: 10,160

And I suppose you also think all british civilians should drive only Vauxhall cars?
But aren't Vauxhall owned by General Motors these days?

You know, the US company that make Cadillacs, Pontiacs, Chevrolets, Buicks and HMVs? Oh, and SAABs too. :diablo:

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 10,625

But aren't Vauxhall owned by General Motors these days?

You know, the US company that make Cadillacs, Pontiacs, Chevrolets, Buicks and HMVs? Oh, and SAABs too. :diablo:


Aye, but still built in Britain.
Like Fords too I suppose.

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 10,625

I find it strange that BA looks to america for aircraft,when alot of british jobs depend on airbus & it's success,I expect the A380 to be ordered along with the A350,& 777's to fill the gaps.

Despite popular belief among many UK and European Aviation fans, Airbus do not have the perfect fleet solution for every airline ;).
There are somethings Boeing's can do that Airbus can't and vice versa.

It'd be quite short sited to only buy the "local" products and just accept that they're not what you actually need.