Pepster wrote:
Balerit wrote:
Still not making a Profit....
, I was going to say that, decided to rather go to bed last night.
It is a rosy article, that financial report. "Lets try to turn a blind eye to the problems", like Hitler and his gang having a party in Berghof in 1944, while Germany was colapsing. Sorry, I forgot. The tax payer will keep them from drowning.
Yes I know, give the new CEO a chance.
The other article, "retrofit A340-600 engines to save 0.5% to 0.75% fuel", brings me to the new A320's SAA is getting. The present A320 is equal to the 737-800, why did they not go for the A320 neo which is claimed to have a 15% fuel saving over the A320, 8% lower operating costs, 900 Km more range which can open up new direct routes.
Those 737-800's are not out of date by any means, and I have it they burn a bit less fuel than the present A320.
Long haul replacement. They have reduced their capacity by switching from the (fuel thirsty) 747-400 to the A340-600, it was a good move. I think the Airbus can take off from JNB at MTOW, and the 747 could no do that? I know Airbus wing is slower for cruise speed, but better for hot and high airports.
In terms of capacity, the A350 is similar in capacity to the A330 / 340.
If they go for the B787, that is a capacity cut compared to the present long haul fleet.
Perhaps that is a good idea, get your aircraft 100% full and turn away customers as there is no space in your smaller aircraft, competitors can have them.
For comparison, the figures are for the largest aircraft in the family for 3 class seating. Of course it will vary, depending on how cramped the airline makes it.
B747-400 = 420 seats
A340-600 = 380 seats
A350-1000 = 350 seats
B787-10 = 325 seats
I noticed SAA said they operated (just under 40%) of the international flights that land in SA.
The more telling figure will be the number of passengers they bring in with their smaller equipment (think of the 747-400's and A380's that land in SA), and how full the competing airlines are.