SAA ditches Boeing

South Africa Airways is to ditch its entire fleet of long-haul Boeing airliners in preference for aircraft from Europe's Airbus Industrie, in a $3.5bn deal. Airbus has been asked to supply 41 planes over 10 years, replacing its 54 Boeing jetliners. The first aircraft, three A340-600s, will be delivered at the end of this year.

Noted airline ceo, Andre Viljoen: "In Airbus, SAA has chosen a good and efficient partner to help turn around the airline to profitability and to restore its competitiveness. Airbus offers lower operating costs and a good product." Evaluation criteria included aircraft uniformity, operating costs and take-off ability over short distances in Johannesburg's hot and high altitude conditions.

Copyright International Communications May 2002
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