SAA eyeing expansion

SAA eyeing expansion
Good news - let's hope it happens! I think SA are missing the A343E's at 9W, oh well, live and learn I guess. http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=561&fArticleId=3471137 Some A346's at rock bottom prices maybe - that would be my guess. A350s would be a long shot give the timescale, so maybe some interim A332's? He (Khaya) also mentions the B738s not being suitable for long haul (obviously), so maybe some smaller Airbus' are on the way?

SA are in desparate need of aircraft and I am sure they would like those 340-300s back from India. But there does not seem to be much slack available in the market for long hauls! There is no real slack for any 330-200 or -300 for that matter and a pretty decent order book, so there is not much chance even of something coming new! There is no real slack of 340s although the order book is quite thin relative to anything else, there may be at least one 340-200 with the right engines available at Airbus for lease! There are some 777-200 (x3) and -200 ER (x3) from Varig that are about to go into the desert although they would need a large amount of work, both inside and technically making them unfeasable - hence the reason why they are going to the desert! The order book for 777 is also quite long due to the 777-300 ER! There are some 747-400s in the desert that SA could take (North West x2 and United x4). They are not in the worst shape! Failing this they might have to look at 767s, hell or maybe even MD 11! Although this all seems strange since SAA gave up two 747-400s earlier this year to go to Cathay for freighter conversions ????

If they are looking at expansion, are they still considering still going all airbus. If not maybe they should try and pick up some T7's namely Varigs that have been stored, yes they are in bad conditon apparently but im sure a couple of Rands can sort that out. Just my 2 cents worth

There are some 777-200 (x3) and -200 ER (x3) from Varig that are about to go into the desert although they would need a large amount of work, both inside and technically making them Didn't ET snap up Varig's 772ERs? For how long will the A343Es be at 9W? Cheers, Walter.

For how long will the A343Es be at 9W? They're returning in May 2007 apparently - not a moment too soon either! I think that B777s are B767s totally out of the question - it would the implementation of a new fleet type for SA (who got rid of their B762s in 2003). B744s are an option, although they're getting increasingly scarce in the desert.

Thanks Sean. There are a couple of A343s being offered for sale/dry lease by Boeing (strangely enough) that SAA could use. One becomes available in July 2007 and the other in January 2009. I don't know how viable this option is considering that their A343Es will be back in the fleet in May 2007, unless of course SAA will need additional planes at the time. Details of the available planes can be found in this link: http://active.boeing.com/commercial/am/index.cfm?content=include/reports.cfm&pageid=m38072 Cheers, Walter

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