British Airways to buy 18 Dreamliners
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International Airlines Group (IAG) has signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 18 Dreamliners for British Airways.
The Anglo-Spanish company has converted 18 existing options for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner into firm orders, with the new aircraft due to replace BA’s aging B747-400s between 2017 and 2021.
Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said the company could also purchase an undisclosed number of Dreamliners for Iberia, its loss-making Spanish carrier.
“The aircraft offers a step change in fuel burn efficiency versus our existing aircraft with improvements in fuel cost per seat of more than 20pc,” he asserted.
“New technology engines and improved aerodynamics will lower fuel burn leading to reduced carbon and NOx emissions.”
For Iberia, IAG added however, that firm orders will only be made when the carrier has completed its restructuring programme and reduced its cost base.
Boeing has said it is confident the recent fix for the widely publicised grounded jet’s battery problems would work, and chief executive Jim McNerney urged regulators in March to let the plane back into service.
Regulators worldwide banned flights of the 787 after lithium-ion batteries overheated in two of the aircraft in January.
BA currently operates a fleet of 118 twin-aisle long-haul aircraft, with outstanding orders for a further 42 – 12 Airbus A380s, 24 B787s, six B777-300ERs. Iberia meanwhile, operates 31 wide-body jets with a further six A330s on order.