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
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirm push for joint energy and mining projects
- In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a leader in the global minerals and energy sectors
- Both sides reaffirm commitment to enhance partnership and promote mutually beneficial investments
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance cooperation in energy and mineral sectors, the Pakistani information ministry said on Friday, as the two sides seek to deepen economic ties and promote joint investment.
The development comes weeks after Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh that saw participation from 13 public and private Pakistani firms.
Pakistan petroleum ministry said Alkhorayef had pointed out “vast opportunities” for cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the minerals sector, adding that the Kingdom would support the development of Pakistan’s mining industry through its knowledge and technical expertise.
On Friday, Malik held a meeting with Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, to discuss areas of mutual cooperation and further strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, according to the information ministry.
“Both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored new avenues for cooperation, particularly in the energy and minerals sectors,” it said in a statement. “They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic partnership and promoting mutually beneficial investment opportunities.”
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a leader in the global minerals and energy sectors and accelerated investments in green technologies, sustainable mining practices and international collaborations that are shaping the future of the mines and mineral industry.
Last year, Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals, a Public Investment Fund and Maaden joint venture, also expressed intent to acquire a 15 percent stake in Pakistan’s Reko Diq gold and copper mine. The $7 billion project, located in Balochistan, is being developed by Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold in partnership with Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments.
Malik expressed confidence that longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would translate into tangible outcomes, fostering investment, technology exchange, and sustainable development initiatives for mutual benefit.
Ambassador Al-Malki appreciated Pakistan’s active participation in the Future Minerals Forum, which offered significant opportunities for regional collaboration, according to the statement.
“Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to further strengthen economic and strategic cooperation in the coming period,” the information ministry added.
