News

British Airways has opened tender to replace 34 longhaul aircraft to manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing and Rolls Royce.

The longhaul fleet will be refreshed, introducing successors to the 25-year old Boeing 747s and 767s, and expanded to meet the growth in longhaul business.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said the new planes signal a process of 'growth and fleet replacement' over the next decade.

Three Airbus models and three Boeing models will compete, with the winners expected to show the best environmental performance in terms of fuel efficiency and emissions.

The company has indicated models such as the new generation medium sized wide body Airbus 350XWB have at least 30% lower fuel burn and 30% lower emissions per seat than the old B767s.

The airline will spend between $160m and $316m per aircraft, with expected delivery by the start of 2009.

Some commentators are concerned that the purchases, which could total £7 billion, will exacerbate the airline's £1.64 billion debt burden, which has plagued pensions provision.


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