Singapore Airlines has agreed to order 30 more Airbus A350-900s and 30 Boeing 787-10Xs in deals the carrier values at more than $17 billion at list prices.
The Boeing 787-10X is a planned second stretch of the twinjet widebody 787 family. Boeing is working with airlines to determine the exact configuration and capabilities of the new jet, which will be the third member of the 787 family. It joins the baseline 787-8 which entered revenue service in 2011 and the 787-9, which is due to enter service by 2015. Singapore Airlines became the launch customer for the 787-10X on May 30, 2013, announcing an order for 30
The agreement with Airbus specifies 30 firm-ordered A350-900s for delivery from Singapore Airlines’ 2016/17 financial year, plus options for 20 more. The options may be converted into firm orders for larger A350-1000s at SIA’s discretion.
Singapore Airlines’ order announcements on May 30 increase to 70 the number of Airbus A350 XWB widebodies the carrier has on firm order.
This number could increase to 110 if it exercises all its options: according to Wikipedia, SIA now holds options on 40 Airbus A350 XWBs.
The Airbus order will mean SIA operating more A350-900s than any other other aircraft type. The first Airbus A350-900 flight-test aircraft is due to make its first flight within the next two months and the first flight could possibly happen within the next three weeks, just before the Paris Air Show (which starts on June 17).
On May 30, 2013, Singapore Airlines announced it had agreed to order 30 more Airbus A350-900s to add to 40 already on order, and had taken options on 20 more to increase its total number of A350 XWBs on option to 40 aircraft. SIA may convert the new options to specify longer-fuselage A350-1000s, at its discretion
SIA’s agreement with The Boeing Company comprises 30 firm-ordered Boeing 787-10X widebodies for delivery from the airline’s 2018/19 financial year.
The deal is conditional upon Boeing formally launching the 787-10X program, but nevertheless makes Singapore Airlines the launch customer for Boeing’s planned new stretched version of the Boeing 787.
Boeing has already reported a very high level of interest from airlines for its proposed 787-10X and is reported likely to launch development of the stretched variant before the end of 2013.
“Today’s aircraft orders are among the biggest in Singapore Airlines’ history, helping to ensure that we retain our industry-leading position,” says Goh Choon Phong, Singapore Airlines’ CEO. “They demonstrate our commitment to the Singapore hub and our confidence in the future for premium full-service travel.”
On May 30, 2013, Singapore Airlines announced it had agreed to order 30 Boeing 787-10Xs, becoming the launch customer for the type. SIA had already ordered 10 Boeing 787-8s and 10 787-9. but decided to pass these aircraft on to its low-cost offshoot Scoot
Adds Goh: “These new aircraft will provide opportunities to grow and renew our fleet and enhance our network, benefiting customers by offering more travel options and the latest in-flight cabin products.”
The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB is the sole engine type for the Airbus A350-900. An engine selection for the Boeing 787-10X will be made at a later date.
SIA says it intends to use its A350-900s on medium-haul and long-range routes. The airline intends to operate its Boeing 787-10Xs on medium-range routes.
The first flight-test Airbus A350 XWB emerged complete and painted from the paint shop at Airbus’ Toulouse factory on May 13, 2013
The new orders will lift to 126 the number of firm aircraft commitments Singapore Airlines has in place with Airbus and Boeing.
Singapore Airlines has also previously ordered 10 Boeing 787-8s and 10 Boeing 787-9 jets, but it will pass these aircraft on to its recently launched low-cost medium-haul offshoot Scoot, which is now operating five Boeing 777-200ERs with engines de-rated to non-ER standard.
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