Qantas Orders 12 Airbus and 12 Boeing Aircraft

Dark/Light Mode (29/08/23)  Qantas has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000s as well as four Boeing 787-9s and eight 787-10s that will progressively replace the airline's existing A330s once they start to arrive from 2027.

The national carrier has also negotiated additional purchase right options, split evenly between both manufacturers, to give flexibility for future growth and ultimately replace its 10 A380s with A350s from around 2032 onwards.

Qantas’ A330 aircraft mostly operate on international flights to Asia and the United States as well as some domestic flights. The longer range delivered by the 787 and A350 aircraft on order means they will be able to operate all the routes on the airline’s current international network, as well as open up new ones.

Qantas’ 787-9s at 62.8 metres is around the same length as the A330s they will replace, while the 787-10 at 68.3 metres is around five metres longer.
Both 787 models will be powered by General Electric GEnx engines which help to provide a noise footprint around 60 per cent smaller than those of previous generation aircraft. The 787-9 also delivers a 20 per cent improvement in fuel use, and around 25 percent for the 787-10, as compared to previous generation aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in FY27.

Qantas' new A350s and B787s will replace its A330s. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

The airline’s A350-1000s at 72.25 metres is 8.5 metres longer than the A330s they will replace and the same length as the A380. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, providing a 50 per cent noise footprint reduction from previous generation aircraft. The A350 also enables a 25 per cent advantage in fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to previous generation aircraft. Deliveries are expected to commence in FY28.

The average age of Qantas’ A330 fleet will be 21 years at the time the replacement program starts in FY27, which is in line with the group’s typical replacement profile.

Aircraft scheduled to leave the Qantas fleet towards the end of the replacement program will undergo a cabin refurbishment from FY25, including next-generation seats in the Economy cabin.

“This is another multi-billion dollar investment in the national carrier and it’s great news for our customers and our people,” said Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO. “This investment is in addition to the 149 firm aircraft we still have on order to continue renewing the domestic fleet for Qantas and Jetstar, and for the non-stop Project Sunrise flights to London and New York. Both the 787 and A350, and the GE and Rolls Royce engines fitted to them, are thoroughly proven and extremely capable. These are generational decisions for this company. The aircraft will arrive over a decade or more and they’ll be part of the fleet for 20 years. They’ll unlock new routes and better travel experiences for customers, and new jobs and promotions for our people.”

As part of the deal with both Airbus and Boeing, Qantas will secure access to up to 500 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) per annum that is expected to start flowing from 2028, potentially meeting up to 90 per cent of the group’s interim SAF target for 2030.

As a direct alternative to traditional jet kerosene, SAF reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent and is a key part of Qantas’ emissions reduction plan.

Access to these supplies will be enabled by partnering with Boeing and Airbus on SAF projects, including in the United States. Qantas expects to purchase the SAF at favourable prices due to supportive government policies in the US.

While these agreements support the group’s interim targets, access to an Australian SAF industry is critical to reaching the industry’s broader commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

Qantas has previously announced a $400 million climate fund aimed at investing in similar projects locally to help kickstart a domestic SAF industry in Australia.

“We effectively started these negotiations off the back of the narrowbody and Sunrise campaigns, and that momentum helped deliver pricing and delivery slots that makes this an excellent opportunity for the group,” said CEO designate, Vanessa Hudson. “Our ability to afford these aircraft comes from years of restructuring and strengthening our balance sheet, and our confidence about the future. Our entire fleet plan has a lot of flexibility built into it so we can slow down deliveries or, within reason, bring them forward depending on the broader market. The phasing of these orders mean they can be funded within our debt range and through earnings, on top of continuing shareholder returns in line with our financial framework. This deal gives the Qantas Group access to sustainable aviation fuel supplies out of the United States, making us one of the first airlines in the world to have a pathway to achieving our 2030 SAF targets.”

Qantas Fleet Renewal

The Qantas Group is on track to receive the first two QantasLink A220 aircraft by the end of this calendar year with subsequent deliveries expected to be delayed by up to four months as a result of supply chain disruption.

The first of seven mid-life A320 family aircraft to meet growing resources flying and Jetstar Asia recovery are expected to arrive before the end of December 2023.

Twenty-two of the previously announced E190s wet-leased from Alliance Airlines are scheduled to have joined the Qantas fleet by the end of December 2023.

Two more A321 converted freighters are expected to arrive by the end of December 2023.

Jetstar’s 18 Airbus A321LRs are on track to enter the fleet by the end of calendar year 2024, with a further 20 A321LRs and A321XLRs set to be delivered by calendar year 2029.

The first of 12 Airbus A350-1000 ULRs for Project Sunrise are due to arrive in FY26.

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