Airbus eyes A350 flights from Australia to Johannesburg, Santiago
By Chris C., October 14 2016
Airbus is confident that its A350-900 aircraft could prove the perfect replacement for Qantas’ Boeing 747s on routes from Australia to Johannesburg and Santiago, despite the current restrictions imposed by CASA which favour four-engined jets on those long treks over the ocean.
Speaking with Australian Business Traveller at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, the company’s Head of A350 Marketing Marisa Lucas-Ugena notes that “the A350-900 already entered into service with ETOPS capabilities of 370 minutes, and it has been granted by the FAA in the US already.”
This requirement means the aircraft can fly up to 370 minutes, or six hours and 10 minutes, from the nearest landing site, enabling routes to South Africa and South America which currently command aircraft like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380.
“I don’t see a reason why Australia’s CASA would not go for it, having the endorsement of the FAA and having been proven: part of the world tour we did of the A350-900 before receiving the type certificate included flying from Johannesburg to Melbourne, and then from Melbourne to Santiago.”
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has previously confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that the airline is seriously considering orders for the A350-900ULR, as it is for the competing Boeing 777-8X.
Read: Qantas considering ultra-long range Airbus A350-900ULR
“Johannesburg and South America are particularly important markets for us,” Joyce previously noted, “but we have some very, very young 747s which we took in the mid-2000s.”
“We recently put new product on them, and our intention is that those aircraft are going to be in the fleet for some time. There’s no immediate need for us to make a decision for an aircraft replacement in those markets.”
Qantas is also assessing ultra-long-range aircraft to open up non-stop flights between Sydney and New York City.
Also read:
- Qantas CEO – no plans to buy more Airbus A380s, are A350s up next?
- Singapore Airlines' ultra-long range A350 flights more about sleep than speed
- Can Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 redefine long-range flying?
Chris Chamberlin is visiting Toulouse as a guest of Airbus.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 135
As long as casa refuses to relax the etops for twin engine aircraft Qantas will never use twin engine aircraft to Santiago and johannesbry
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
You're technically correct. That said I'm sure many people here (including yourself) will hope CASA decides to embrace the modern ETOPS age.
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 135
Hopefully, but personally i feel that CASA are conservative and prefer to maintain the status quo. if they don't change it by the time qantas retires the 747 completely, they may have no choice but to either axe both routes or deploy the A380 on them, which may or may not be economically viable
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
Enjoy those fresh baguettes in Toulouse Chris!
I recommend the bakery next to MONOPRIX on Rue d'Alsace Lorraine, on the corner.
12 Feb 2015
Total posts 89
Umm, ETOPS 370 means that you could be six hours away from the nearest airport over the freezing Antarctic Ocean with only one engine.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Sep 2012
Total posts 131
It's great that you have an understanding of ETOPS. Not sure of your point though. The idea about the awarding such a limit suggests one engine is quite safe for such a journey.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
It'll be like trying to tell the government and road authority to increase speed limits in areas as cars now can break sooner, better and are safer compared to what cars were when speed limits were first placed i.e. on freeways, main roads etc.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1224
In 5 years the 747s will be no more. It is unlikely SCL or JNB will ever require the A380's capacity and QF don't have enough of them anyway. Without adopting ETOPs, what does this mean? QF drop the routes or buy secondhand A346s!!! At some point CASA will get with the program and accept ETOPS370. Unless they can offer some knowledge that FAA and EASA have missed, they have no choice.
11 Aug 2015
Total posts 23
There will still be 747s in 5 years time. The article clearly states that a couple of these 747s were brought into the fleet in the mid 2000s so they will be here for some time to come. Both these routes can have the capacity for an A380 on them but you would have to decrease the frequency and buy more aircraft. They won't drop the routes either as Joyce clearly states that these routes are important to Qantas. A new ETOPs will be introduced at some stage in the near future. I think.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
11 Nov 2014
Total posts 32
It will be all plain sailing until the day comes when one of these A359ULR loses an engine 6 hours away from the nearest airport.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@Harry Atkinson:
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@reeves35:
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
The last (six I think) 747s were bought in 2002 and 2003 and as QF keeps these for around 20 years or more, they may be around a little bit longer than five years. The A359ULR makes a lot of sense as it has more seats than the 789 and has longer legs.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
I agree Patrick. I think we'll see the 747's in the fleet for around 10 years unless Qantas gets a red hot deal from either Airbus or Boeing.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@partrickk:
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@patrickk:
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Not to mention LAN who has operated SCL-AKL-SYD since April 2015 - so over 500 return flights using 788 and 789
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
Good point Moa but I'm pretty sure the LAN flights fly via AKL so as to ensure they can make Pape'ete...as an alternate.
QF NZ
28 Jul 2013
Total posts 29
We are currently in SA, and having used QF 63 2 - 3 times a year since 2001, see very little difference in the 747 400 we flew on last week. No comparison with the 380s or 777s used on other routes. But the bubble does have those window bins which I love. Everything to hand for this old fart.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 463
QF would have their eye on the VA + SA competition. SA are also yet to commit to replacement aircraft for their long haul routes including JNB - PER, but also expected to be a 350 or 777 type in the early 2020s.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
11 Nov 2014
Total posts 32
The big question is will we ever see a Australia - Europe direct flight in the next 10 years!
08 Mar 2013
Total posts 28
Cool! Might see the A350 in Canberra in the future!
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