Browse > Home / Commercial / American Airlines Takes Major Fleet Renewal Step by Announcing Plans to Acquire Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

American Airlines Takes Major Fleet Renewal Step by Announcing Plans to Acquire Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

Written by thomas · Filed Under Commercial 

October 15, 2008

thomas

Under Purchase Agreement with The Boeing Company, American Plans to Buy 42
Fuel-Efficient Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with Rights to Acquire up to 58
Additional 787s
While American Battles Near-Term Challenges, it will Continue to Invest in
its Long-Term Future

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — American Airlines,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR), announced
today that it has entered into a purchase agreement with Boeing (NYSE: BA)
under which American intends to acquire an initial 42 Boeing 787-9
Dreamliners scheduled for delivery beginning in 2012 and ending in 2018,
with the right to purchase up to 58 additional 787s that may be scheduled
for delivery beginning in 2015 and ending in 2020. The purchase of the
initial 42 787-9 aircraft is subject to certain contingency provisions, as
more fully described below.

AMR Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey said the agreement to purchase 787
Dreamliners is the latest example of the Company’s efforts to build a
successful, competitive airline for the long-term while continuing to work
to overcome the many immediate challenges facing the entire airline
industry.

Arpey said the agreement would support American’s wide-body replacement
efforts as well as the international growth that is expected after
American, British Airways, and Iberia achieve antitrust immunity and
implement a joint business agreement for flights between North America and
Europe. The airlines have an application for antitrust immunity pending
with the U.S. Department of Transportation. (For more information about
American’s application for antitrust immunity, visit
http://www.moretravelchoices.com.)

“Even as we battle the challenges of volatile and historically high
fuel prices and serious economic uncertainty, we must continue to prudently
invest in our Company for the long-term benefit of our shareholders,
customers, employees and the communities we serve,” Arpey said. “The 787
will help reduce our fuel and maintenance costs, lessen our environmental
impact, and support our goal of providing industry-leading products and
services over the long haul. Fortunately, our agreement with Boeing, our
long-time partner, allows for significant flexibility to manage our fleet
replacement and growth plans in the way that best meets all of our
stakeholders’ interests.”

“American has been a valued and enduring Boeing partner for many years.
Its selection of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for fleet replacement and
renewal represents strong validation of the 787’s advanced technology and
superior operating economics, especially in light of high fuel prices and
the need for more environmentally progressive airplanes,” said Ray Conner,
Vice President Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 787 Dreamliner will offer passengers a better flying experience and
provides airline operators greater efficiency, Conner added.

According to Boeing, the technologically advanced 787 will use 20
percent less fuel than today’s airplanes of comparable size, provide
airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity, and present
passengers with innovations including a new interior environment with
enhanced air filtration, larger windows, more stowage space, improved
lighting, and other passenger-preferred conveniences. To date, Boeing says
it has received nearly 900 orders for the 787 Dreamliner from more than 55
customers worldwide.

The 787-9 is designed to carry up to 290 passengers. With a range
capability of up to 8,500 nautical miles, it is expected that the 787-9
could operate on every route American serves today, while offering
potential to support new routes if business conditions warrant. American
has yet to decide on a specific cabin configuration or engine type for its
787s and is in the process of determining the specific wide-body aircraft
in its fleet that the 787 would replace.

American announced previously that it will take delivery of 76
more-fuel-efficient Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 2009 and 2010 as it replaces
its narrow-body MD-80 fleet.

American also has undertaken multiple initiatives over the past several
years to enhance its existing fleet with improved cabin interiors, onboard
services and passenger amenities. These efforts have included installing
new premium class seating, with the next-generation Business Class seats
introduced for the 767-300 and 777. In addition, American added two new
First Class seats to the 777 and standardized the fleet in 2007 and 2008
with the addition of Flagship Suite seats for those flying transpacific
routes.

American enhanced inflight entertainment with the current trial for
Gogo(R) inflight broadband Internet service, available on the 767-200.
American also installed new LCD monitors, digital entertainment equipment
for Coach passengers and personal entertainment devices for First and
Business Class customers on the 767-300, 767-200 and 777 aircraft. American
continues to invest in its food and beverage products with the launch of
its menu variety program for First and Business Class customers and new
buy-on-board options.

The 787 purchase agreement contains provisions that would allow
American to choose not to acquire some or all of the 42 initial 787s if it
has not reached a satisfactory agreement with its pilots union to operate
the aircraft. American must notify Boeing of its intent to purchase a 787
at least 18 months prior to its scheduled delivery date, with the first
scheduled delivery date occurring in September 2012.

While there can be no assurances, American expects to have reached such
an agreement with its pilots union prior to the first notification date.

» Próximo Post - Director Ejecutivo de FIDAE encabezó misión que participó en Defendory International 2008
« Post Aneterior - LAN Airlines Offers You the Chance to Win 5 Roundtrip Tickets to the South American Destination of Your Choice

Comments

¿Tiene algo que decir?

You must be logged in to post a comment.