Small cargo door restricts Virgin

[oz_mark]

Small cargo door restricts Virgin

A SIMPLE rear cargo door could hinder Virgin Blue's ability to raise much-needed cash.

Australia's second-largest airline is believed to have attempted sale-and-leaseback deals for some of the new Boeing 777-300 passenger jets its long-haul carrier, V Australia, flies between Australia and the US.

But Virgin's decision when it ordered the aircraft from Boeing to opt for smaller rear cargo doors means the 777s cannot take freight in pallets.

 

[docjames]

One has to wonder why they didnt opt for the larger one - weight perhaps?

It might be a convenient excuse on the part of the leasing companies who may not want to do business with Virgin.

 

[Evan]

Well you would have to assume there was a reason why the smaller door, maybe it has more frequent maintinance check or something like that also. Either way a stupid thing i would ahve thought, i wonder if you can retro-fit them ?

 

[Nigelinoz]

Well you would have to assume there was a reason why the smaller door, maybe it has more frequent maintinance check or something like that also. Either way a stupid thing i would ahve thought, i wonder if you can retro-fit them ?

I think it is possible but I also think I read somewhere that it cost's in the region of 10 million to do each one.
I agree it does seem an unwise decision but they probably didn't foresee such a bad economic downturn when the ordered them.

 

[NM]

Were the 777s new builds or did they pick up someone else's orders that had already commenced construction? They seemed to get some manufacturing slots pretty quickly which may have limited their options somewhat.