SUVA, Fiji (PINA Nius) — Boeing’s grip on the South Pacific aircraft market has taken a hammering, the latest issue of South Pacific Aviation magazine reports.<\/p>\n
The magazine said this is symbolized in a huge Qantas order for Airbus jets and New Caledonia’s Aircalin ordering two types of Airbus aircraft.
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\nPacific Aviation said Qantas ended decades of loyalty to the Boeing brand by announcing its attention to buy 12 giant Airbus A380 jets and 13 Airbus A330-200s and A330-300s. Deliveries are to begin in 2002.<\/p>\n
Aircalin’s order for two A330s and an A320 was influenced by generous tax concessions offered by the French Government, South Pacific Aviation said.<\/p>\n
The New Caledonian airline will replace its American-built Boeing 737 with the similar-sized European-built A320.<\/p>\n
After selling two Airbus 310s to Air Niugini in 1985 and 20 A320s to Australia’s Ansett in 1988, Airbus for years remained a weak presence in the region, South Pacific Aviation said.<\/p>\n
Air Pacific chose to buy Boeing 737-700\/800 jets in preference to the A320 and Polynesian decided to stick with the United States manufacturer last year with a decision to lease two Boeing 737-800s.<\/p>\n
The European manufacturer leased an A340 to Air Tahiti Nui in November 1998 and has had a leased A310 flying with Aircalin since November last year.<\/p>\n
The twin-engined A330 typically seats 335 passengers in two classes and has a range of up 12,300 kilometers (7,380 miles).<\/p>\n
The Qantas order for the A380 helped push Airbus to deciding to build the 555-seater, South Pacific Aviation said.<\/p>\n
Due to enter airline service in 2006, it will have a range of up to 14,800 kilometers (8,880 miles) and will have 15 to 20 percent lower operating costs than the largest aircraft flying now, the Boeing 747.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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