markis10
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Qantas, which delayed an expansion of its international fleet when it faced financial difficulties, could be back in growth mode later this year, with a firmorder for Boeing 787-9 aircraft to be delivered from 2017.
Sources said an internal team at the airline had prepared a robust business case for exercising its options and purchase rights over the long-range, twin-engine aircraft type that is already operated by Air New Zealand, United Airlines and other global carriers.
Qantas's low-cost arm, Jetstar, operates the slightly smaller 787-8 on its long-haul international flights.
In August, Qantas pushed back the exercise date of the first 787-9 options to the 2017 calendar year from 2016 and it needs to make a decision toward the end of this year on whether to exercise the option over the first of 20 guaranteed delivery slots. The 30 purchase rights lack the guarantee of a delivery slot in a particular year.
Read more: Resurgent Qantas may be back in market for new Boeings
Sources said an internal team at the airline had prepared a robust business case for exercising its options and purchase rights over the long-range, twin-engine aircraft type that is already operated by Air New Zealand, United Airlines and other global carriers.
Qantas's low-cost arm, Jetstar, operates the slightly smaller 787-8 on its long-haul international flights.
In August, Qantas pushed back the exercise date of the first 787-9 options to the 2017 calendar year from 2016 and it needs to make a decision toward the end of this year on whether to exercise the option over the first of 20 guaranteed delivery slots. The 30 purchase rights lack the guarantee of a delivery slot in a particular year.
Read more: Resurgent Qantas may be back in market for new Boeings