Lumber Yak
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2002
- Posts
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Found this on Yahoo Finance today. Flying a side-stick Airbus might be fun... Although I doubt Boeing would allow a Seattle-based airline to fly an all-Airbus fleet.... Looks like a negotiating threat...
What do Alaska pilots think about the possibility of flying an A320 - even if it is remote?
Read below:
Alaska Air says could switch to Airbus from Boeing
Friday January 10, 3:11 pm ET
SEATTLE, Jan 10 (Reuters) - U.S. low-fare carrier Alaska Airlines said on Friday it may swap some of its all-Boeing Co.(NYSE:BA - News) jet fleet for rival Airbus SAS(XETRA:EAD.DE - News; Paris:EAD.PA - News) aircraft for the first time in a bid to cut costs.
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Still several months away from a decision on phasing out its 40 older Boeing 737-200 and MD-80 narrow-body jetliners, Alaska executives are asking for sale and lease prices on Airbus A320 family jets as well as updated 737-800s and -900s.
"Given the financial losses we are experiencing, it's important that we examine every area of our business for potential cost savings and that includes aircraft ownership costs," said Brad Tilden, the airline's chief financial officer, in a prepared statement.
Alaska, the Seattle-based No. 9 U.S. carrier which serves mostly West Coast routes, said it also may buy or lease used aircraft, hundreds of which are idling at desert airstrips as airlines wait out a spectacular decline in air travel demand.
The airline is the latest all-Boeing carrier to consider buying jets from Airbus. The Toulouse, France-based manufacturer last year won a key order for 120 A319s from Britain's EasyJet Plc (London:EZJ.L - News), Europe's largest no-frills airline, which currently flies only Boeing jets.
That deal reportedly came at a 40 percent discount to the $6.2 billion list price and included concessions from Airbus to help offset the cost of operating two aircraft types.
Airlines can save money by operating one aircraft model, which reduces training and maintenance expenses -- a strategy made popular by U.S. low-fare king Southwest Airlines(NYSE:LUV - News).
"We very pleased with the Boeing product and we've been loyal Boeing customers," said Alaska spokesman Jack Walsh. "But the economic conditions demand that we explore all alternatives."
An Airbus spokeswoman in Europe declined to comment and an Airbus North American spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Boeing, which runs its commercial jet unit from Seattle, a few miles down the road from Alaska's headquarters, has long advocated the single aircraft fleet model and noted that the airline operates 62 additional 737s.
"We value our 50-year relationship with Alaska Airlines and we look forward to working with them in the future," Boeing spokesman Todd Blecher said.
But Alaska's Walsh, while acknowledging the benefits of a standardized fleet, said the airline had not necessarily committed to that strategy.
Alaska has performed better than many large airlines during an epic air travel slump exacerbated by the Sept. 11, 2001 U.S. hijack attacks.
Its parent, Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE:ALK - News), posted a $10.6 million profit in the third quarter of 2002. But analysts project the company will lose money in 2003
Alaska Air shares were down 32 cents at $23.46 in Friday afternoon Nasdaq trading, a loss of 1.4 percent.
What do Alaska pilots think about the possibility of flying an A320 - even if it is remote?
Read below:
Alaska Air says could switch to Airbus from Boeing
Friday January 10, 3:11 pm ET
SEATTLE, Jan 10 (Reuters) - U.S. low-fare carrier Alaska Airlines said on Friday it may swap some of its all-Boeing Co.(NYSE:BA - News) jet fleet for rival Airbus SAS(XETRA:EAD.DE - News; Paris:EAD.PA - News) aircraft for the first time in a bid to cut costs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Still several months away from a decision on phasing out its 40 older Boeing 737-200 and MD-80 narrow-body jetliners, Alaska executives are asking for sale and lease prices on Airbus A320 family jets as well as updated 737-800s and -900s.
"Given the financial losses we are experiencing, it's important that we examine every area of our business for potential cost savings and that includes aircraft ownership costs," said Brad Tilden, the airline's chief financial officer, in a prepared statement.
Alaska, the Seattle-based No. 9 U.S. carrier which serves mostly West Coast routes, said it also may buy or lease used aircraft, hundreds of which are idling at desert airstrips as airlines wait out a spectacular decline in air travel demand.
The airline is the latest all-Boeing carrier to consider buying jets from Airbus. The Toulouse, France-based manufacturer last year won a key order for 120 A319s from Britain's EasyJet Plc (London:EZJ.L - News), Europe's largest no-frills airline, which currently flies only Boeing jets.
That deal reportedly came at a 40 percent discount to the $6.2 billion list price and included concessions from Airbus to help offset the cost of operating two aircraft types.
Airlines can save money by operating one aircraft model, which reduces training and maintenance expenses -- a strategy made popular by U.S. low-fare king Southwest Airlines(NYSE:LUV - News).
"We very pleased with the Boeing product and we've been loyal Boeing customers," said Alaska spokesman Jack Walsh. "But the economic conditions demand that we explore all alternatives."
An Airbus spokeswoman in Europe declined to comment and an Airbus North American spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Boeing, which runs its commercial jet unit from Seattle, a few miles down the road from Alaska's headquarters, has long advocated the single aircraft fleet model and noted that the airline operates 62 additional 737s.
"We value our 50-year relationship with Alaska Airlines and we look forward to working with them in the future," Boeing spokesman Todd Blecher said.
But Alaska's Walsh, while acknowledging the benefits of a standardized fleet, said the airline had not necessarily committed to that strategy.
Alaska has performed better than many large airlines during an epic air travel slump exacerbated by the Sept. 11, 2001 U.S. hijack attacks.
Its parent, Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE:ALK - News), posted a $10.6 million profit in the third quarter of 2002. But analysts project the company will lose money in 2003
Alaska Air shares were down 32 cents at $23.46 in Friday afternoon Nasdaq trading, a loss of 1.4 percent.