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Airbus pitches SIA A340-500s for VVIP customers

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  • Airbus pitches SIA A340-500s for VVIP customers

    Airbus is in talks with potential customers in the Middle East about offering the Singapore Airlines Airbus A340-500s that it is buying back as reconfigured VVIP aircraft.

    The European airframer bought the five aircraft back as part of a deal that saw SIA order additional A350-900 and A380 passenger aircraft.

    The first SIA A340-500 will come back to Airbus in the fourth quarter of 2013, giving the company enough time to talk to potential customers about the aircraft, which is likely to include the new Gala cabin concept.

    "The A340-500s are being targeted for the VVIP market," says Francois Chazelle, vice-president for Airbus Corporate Jets. "They are large and have a long range, and are perfect for this. In the VVIP configuration, they can go even further than the flights between Singapore and New York that SIA operated.

    "We have spoken to potential outfitters and will be able to gauge the response from the potential customers in the coming months. There is some time before the aircraft arrive and that gives us time to work out the design and configuration. It can then take around 12 to 18 months before the aircraft are delivered to the customers."

    Chazelle estimates that around one-third of Airbus corporate jet deliveries are to the Middle East, which he says helps the company to offset any potential slowdown in other parts of the world.

    "We have more growth in China than the Middle East, but the Middle East is strong and stable and the orders keep on coming," he says. "That is why we have a big presence both here and in China. We don't want to be stuck in a position like some of our competitors, who have all of their eggs in one basket."
    “The only time you have too much fuel is when you’re on fire.”

    Erwin


  • #2
    That's probably the only way to sell these A345's without them going to scrappers.
    TAP - Transportes Aéreos Portugueses

    Voe mais alto. Fly higher.

    www.flytap.com

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    • #3
      Would the A345 or the A346 make a good Presidential Aircraft, or a good flying office in the event of an emergency - in other words, could the A345 or A346 be a good Air Force One counterpart to some up and coming powers?

      If so, then the A345's superior range, and reliability could be an enormous asset to some governments that might be eyeing the jump, and they will likely be able to get them at steep discounts.
      Whatever is necessary, is never unwise.

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      • #4
        Perfect plane for the role. 4 engine safety.

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        • #5
          Never mind up and coming powers, what about a replacement for the current VC-25A Air Force One/s ? Let's face it, they are essentially old 747-200's.

          From Wikipedia...
          The VC-25As are expected to be replaced, as they have become less cost-effective to operate. The USAF Air Mobility Command has been charged with looking into possible replacements, including the new Boeing 747-8 and the Airbus A380
          If it 'ain't broken........ Don't try to mend it !

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          • #6
            Airbus -> USAF -> no go

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            • #7
              Originally posted by seahawk View Post
              Airbus -> USAF -> no go
              Silly me.

              Of course,

              Boeing would stamp their feet, throw their dummies out the pram and take the ball away !
              If it 'ain't broken........ Don't try to mend it !

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              • #8
                Originally posted by brianw999 View Post
                Silly me.

                Of course,

                Boeing would stamp their feet, throw their dummies out the pram and take the ball away !
                Yes, that aside - the 747s can easily be replaced, by - another 747 in the 747-8 platform.

                Why retrain crews, and learn new and less efficient solutions. Keep in the mind that the A380 is still as capable of travelling to most airports and/or locations due to runway restrictions et al. That little VC-25A can, and I can bet, the relatively minor (compared to that needed to equip an A38O from a VC-25, versus that of equipping a VC-25 to a 747- changes needed make financial and 'patriotic' sense.
                Whatever is necessary, is never unwise.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by brianw999 View Post
                  Silly me.

                  Of course,

                  Boeing would stamp their feet, throw their dummies out the pram and take the ball away !
                  Well, yea, that's how politics work in the US. Airbus immediately said they were not going to offer the A380 as AF1 replacement, because all the money and manhours invested in that would be wasted anyway.
                  Contrary to the tanker deal, I think it's understandable if the US Government wants their iconic plane to be their own make and model. It represents the US and the US President, it just wouldnt be the same if it were an A380. I think the next AF1 is going to be a 747-8.. that is if they can order one before the line is closed

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