Qantas cancel some and defers other Dreamliner planes from Boeing

Australian airline Qantas has cancelled or deferred 30 orders for 787 Dreamliner planes from Boeing, saying the operating environment for the world's airlines had clearly changed dramatically since it placed the order in 2005. (See: Qantas orders 20 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners)

Qantas today said that it had reached mutual agreement with Boeing to defer the delivery of 15 B787-8 aircraft by four years and cancel orders for 15 B787-9s scheduled for delivery in 2014-2015.

Qantas chief executive officer, Alan Joyce, said the changes to the Group's B787 orders were appropriate in the current climate, and that discussions with Boeing, which commenced some months ago, had not been influenced by the announcement this week of a design issue and further delay to the aircraft's first flight. (See: Another postponement for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner)

Qantas had originally placed firm orders for  45 B787s, with for another 20 and purchase rights for 50 in December 2005. "Qantas announced its original B787 order in December 2005, and the operating environment for the world's airlines has clearly changed dramatically since then," Joyce said.

The agreement reached with Boeing will provide greater certainty going forward in terms of the carrier's fleet renewal and growth strategies as well as broader resource planning and matching capacity with demand, the company said.

"The latest delay is disappointing, but we do not expect it to impact the Qantas Group given these changes to our delivery programme. We remain committed to the aircraft as the right choice - for Jetstar's future international expansion, Qantas' growth and as a replacement for Qantas' B767-300 fleet," Joyce added.