Both American and United have voiced their growing frustration with the pace of development of a suitable replacement for the nearly 400 aircraft they want replaced. Both Boeing and Airbus are in no hurry to replace their narrowbody offerings. But really, why should they? There were almost 1800 A320/737NG aircraft ordered in 2007.
Each excerpt courtesy of Lori Ranson with ATI
United:
Jake Brace, CFO at United parent UAL, told journalists today that in the long term the carrier is “very interested” in a narrowbody replacement that “neither of the manufacturers is offering yet.”
“We are encouraging them because we think that is the right way to replace what is a pretty large narrowbody fleet for us,” Brace says. He adds the carrier would not seek a replacement aircraft until well into the next decade.
American:
Management at American Airlines is hinting the carrier might have to use current Boeing narrowbodies to replace its MD-80 aircraft as a result of slow movement by manufacturers in offering a next-generation narrowbody design.
CEO Gerard Arpey tells analysts and investors the carrier “continues to be a little discouraged” by the timing of the next generation narrowbody.
According to the Flight ACAS database, there are 615 active MD-80 and Classic 737 aircraft being flown by Delta, Northwest, United and American. These airlines have made no secret of their desire to replace each and every single one with a newer generation of fuel efficient aircraft.
Enter the CSeries
The frustration by US airlines presents itself as a golden opportunity for the Bombardier CSeries. There has been speculation as to whether or not the new 110/130 seat aircraft will ever see an official launch. However, according to Mary Kirby of Runway Girl/Flight International/Air Transport Intelligence:
“We expect to have guidance by the end of 2008 on whether to go forward with that,” said Bombardier director, airline industry analysis and strategy Chuck Evans today during an Air Transport World webinar.
Bombardier could wait until the end of the year before announcing a decision on whether to launch the proposed 110/130-seat CSeries.
He notes, however, that Bombardier sees the CSeries “as the next logical step for our business”.
He adds: “We’re looking at the CSeries as the future platform to carry us [into the] future.”
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
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This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.