Qantas to purchase Airbus aircraft for new low-cost carrier

Airline Industry Information, Dec 1, 2003

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Australian airline Qantas Airways will reportedly purchase 23 Airbus aircraft for its new low-cost carrier, Jetstar.

Qantas - which has traditionally been an all-Boeing airline - has decided to purchase 23 new Airbus A320 aircraft, worth about USD1.15bn. The new aircraft are expected to be utilised by the new carrier from June 2004, when it launches its operations.

Meanwhile, Qantas has also placed an order for an additional five Boeing 737-800 aircraft for the full-service domestic operation, reported Reuters.

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