MASCOT, Australia: Qantas Airways has announced that it has ordered twelve A350-1000 aircraft from Airbus SE, as well as 40 narrow body jets to renew its domestic fleet.
The A350-1000’s will be used on what will become the world’s longest commercial non-stop flights from Sydney to London at 20 hours.
The deal comes amidst improving market conditions and a faster than expected demand increase for domestic and international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qantas is expected to reduce its debt and predicts a return to profitability in the financial year starting 1st July.
“The board’s decision to approve what is the largest aircraft order in Australian aviation is a clear vote of confidence in the future of the Qantas Group,” said Chief Executive Alan Joyce.
The airline said, beginning in late 2025 after the delivery of A350-1000s, non-stop flights from Sydney to London will only take some 20 hours.
It added that the A350s will carry 238 passengers across first class, business class, premium economy and economy class, with more than 40 percent of the cabin dedicated to premium seating.
Joyce said the new domestic fleet “will reduce emissions by at least 15 percent if running on fossil fuels, and significantly better when run on sustainable aviation fuel,” stressing that its “Project Sunris” would be carbon neutral from day one.
In a blow to incumbent supplier Boeing, in December Qantas chose Airbus to supply it with new planes to renew its aging narrow body fleet.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Qantas is close to announcing the deal for the “Kangaroo route” between Sydney and London.
In a separate filing, Qantas said that although it predicts underlying operating losses for the 2022 fiscal year, improved domestic and international demand will see it benefit in the second-half of the year.
