SYDNEY: Australian national carrier Qantas on Wednesday ordered six Dreamliner planes from aviation giant Boeing to replace the last of its aging jumbo jets, which have been a staple of the firm’s fleet since 1971.
The deal, worth $1.7 billion at list prices, comes as Qantas looks to build up its supply of 787-9 jets, which are more fuel efficient and have lower maintenance costs.
To date it has taken delivery of four and a further four are due to arrive by the end of 2018. The latest batch are due by the end of 2020.
“This really is the end of one era and the start of another,” said chief executive Alan Joyce.
“The jumbo has been the backbone of Qantas International for more than 40 years and we’ve flown almost every type that Boeing built.
“It’s fitting that its retirement is going to coincide with our centenary in 2020.”
He added that the “better economics and a longer range” have allowed Qantas to open up new routes like Perth to London.
“With a larger fleet of Dreamliners, we’ll be looking at destinations in the Americas, Asia, South Africa and Europe,” he added.
The announcement was made as Qantas revealed in a trading update it was on track to post a record full-year underlying profit before tax of A$1.55 billion to A$1.60 billion.
The result, slated to be officially released in August, comes on the back of an aggressive efficiency drive that has included hefty redundancies and a shift away from loss-making routes, despite rising fuel costs.
“We’re seeing solid results from each of our business units, which is a reflection of broadly positive trading conditions and the work we’ve done to strengthen the group,” said Joyce.
Qantas orders six more Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft as jumbo jets bow out
Qantas orders six more Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft as jumbo jets bow out
Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,325
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index edged down on Monday, shedding 38.83 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 10,325.20.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR4.02 billion ($1.07 billion), with 61 listed stocks advancing and 191 declining.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also declined by 144.88 points, or 0.62 percent, to close at 23,226.94.
The MSCI Tadawul Index advanced by 0.11 percent to 1,371.06.
The best-performing stock on the main market was Saudi Industrial Development Co., with its share price rising 6.32 percent to SR12.44.
Al Yamamah Steel Industries Co.’s share price increased by 6.06 percent to SR35.
Cherry Trading Co. also saw its stock climb 5.27 percent to SR26.16.
Conversely, the share price of the National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia, also known as Bahri, edged down 5.87 percent to SR26.64.
On the announcements front, SAL Saudi Logistics Services Co. said it intends to issue a riyal-denominated sukuk through a private placement, both inside and outside the Kingdom.
In a Tadawul statement, the company said the amount and terms of the sukuk offering will be determined at a later stage, based on prevailing market conditions.
SAL added that the proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, capital expenditure plans to support future expansions and projects, and to achieve long-term financial and strategic objectives.
The company has appointed J.P. Morgan Saudi Arabia and SNB Capital as joint lead managers and bookrunners for the sukuk offering.
SAL’s share price declined by 0.63 percent to SR158.90.
In another announcement, Almarai Co. said the diesel price increase from January is expected to result in additional direct costs of approximately SR70 million for the company this year.
The firm added it will continue to focus on business efficiency, cost optimization, and other initiatives to mitigate the impact of the diesel price increase.
Almarai’s share price fell 3.50 percent to SR41.90.
