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    Qantas
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    QF/QFA
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Brisbane Airport, Melbourne Airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
    Year Founded:
    1920
    Alliance:
    oneworld
    CEO:
    Alan Joyce
    Country:
    Australia

Qantas plans to run a competition between aircraft manufacturers to replace its aging fleet of Airbus A330s, with the process expected to start within the next 12 to 18 months.

The Australian carrier has 28 Airbus A330s in its fleet, so any deal will likely be worth billions of dollars based on list prices. Confirming the news, the airline’s chief financial officer, Vanessa Hudson, said,

"We will be looking at the market in the coming 12 months. That aircraft is heading to the end of its useful life. We will run a competition as we have done for the narrowbody fleet in the coming 12 to 18 months."

Qantas and the Airbus A330

Qantas’ fleet of 28 Airbus A330s is made up of 18 Airbus A330-200s and 10 Airbus A330-300s. According to ch-aviation.com, the aircraft have an average age of 14.4 years and 18.1 years respectively. Twenty-four of the carrier’s Airbus A330s are currently active.

The airline has two seating configurations on its Airbus A330-200s. Its higher density aircraft seat a total of 271 passengers in a two-class configuration – 28 in business class and 243 in economy class, and are used for short and medium-haul routes. For its longer Transpacific flights, Qantas operates a lower density, 251-seat configuration – 27 in business class and 224 in economy class.

The oldest Airbus A330-200 in the airline's active fleet is VH-EBA, which was delivered to Qantas in December 2002. The youngest is VH-EBV, at just under 10 years old. The carrier's Airbus A330-300s are considerably older - the oldest is VH-QPA, at almost 19 years old, and the youngest is VH-QPJ, at 17 years old.

Qantas_Airbus_A330_VH-EBM_Perth_2019_(01)
Qantas is planning to decide on a replacement for its Airbus A330s within the next 12 to 18 months. Photo: Bahnfrend via Wikimedia Commons

What options does Qantas have as a replacement for the Airbus A330?

Aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing have a number of replacement options for the Airbus A330ceo.

Perhaps the most obvious choice would be the Airbus A330neo. A significant advantage is that the similarities between the two aircraft would simplify the training and conversion process for the airline’s crew.

Qantas could follow the example of TAP Air Portugal. TAP was the launch customer for the Airbus A330neo in 2018, and since then has incorporated 19 of the modern aircraft into its fleet to replace its aging Airbus A330ceos. It has a further two more on order.

A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A330-941, registration CS-TUH, departing.
The Basic economy fare will still be available to passengers on intercontinental flights. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

The Airbus A350 is another aircraft that is often billed as an Airbus A330 replacement. In May 2022, Qantas placed an order for 12 Airbus A350-1000s. These lower-density aircraft were ordered with the airline’s project sunrise routes to Europe in mind.

If it were to opt for the Airbus A350, Qantas may need to review the seating configuration. The planned configuration of the 12 aircraft currently on order, with 52 business class seats, may not be suitable for many of the airline's Airbus A330 routes.

Discover more of the latest aviation news here.

The Boeing 787 could be another contender. Qantas has 11 Boeing 787-9s in its fleet and is waiting on three further aircraft, which have already been manufactured but have been held up by delays in delivery. They are expected to be delivered in mid-2023.

Like the premium-heavy Airbus A350, the Qantas Dreamliners feature the airline's premium economy cabin and a higher number of business class seats. The aircraft is currently used on a variety of routes, including the airline’s non-stop flights to London and Rome.

Qantas_Airbus_A330-200_Kimberley_SYD_Li_Pang
Qantas will use the A330-200 on its upcoming route from Sydney to Bengaluru. Photo: Li Pang via Wikimedia

The Airbus A330 – still key to Qantas’ plans

While a decision on its replacement is yet to be made, the Airbus A330 still plays an important role in Qantas’ fleet.

The airline’s newly launched Sydney to Tonga route will be operated by its Airbus A330 aircraft. The weekly flight will begin on August 25th and comes after Tonga opened its borders to international travelers earlier this month for the first time since March 2020. According to Qantas, demand for travel to the South Pacific has soared since the pandemic. A spokesperson said,

"Fiji is 50% higher than pre-COVID demand, Noumea is 13% higher and flights to Samoa are performing ahead of expectations. We anticipate the Tonga services will be well-supported by both Tongan nationals and Australians.”

Qantas’ new route from Sydney to Bengaluru, which starts on September 14th, will also be operated by the Airbus A330-200.

News of a potential deal with Qantas is likely to spark interest in aircraft manufacturers, although we will have to wait at least 12 to 18 months before any decision is made by the airline.

Which aircraft do you think Qantas will select as a replacement for the Airbus A330? Share your thoughts by commenting below.