Qantas Boss Prepared for Airbus Delivery Delays

DALLAS - Qantas (QF) boss Alan Joyce has revealed that the airline is prepared for any potential delays to its key Airbus order.

Currently, QF has 12 Airbus A350-1000s, 20 A220s, and 20 A321XLRs on order. The A350s will be used for Qantas' 'Project Sunrise' non-stop services to Europe and the United States. Meanwhile, the A220s and A321s will replace the airline's Boeing 737-800 and 717-200 short-haul fleet.

Speaking at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam, Joyce said, "I think every airline would be after certainty on the time-frames." He went on to say that there had been no signs of any delays and that he was happy with communications with Airbus.

Joyce will meet with Airbus boss Guillaume Faury this week to get a face-to-face update on the jet's progress.

Joyce will meet with Airbus boss Guillaume Faury to get an update on the delivery schedule. Photo: Qantas

Bespoke Design

The A350 airframes will be a bespoke design for QF, with additional fuel tanks added, enabling the type to operate 20-plus-hour flights. However, this will require further certification, potentially delaying the process. Airbus has also faced issues with its A320 production due to labor and supply issues.

Airbus expects deliveries to commence towards the end of 2025, receiving three aircraft each year after that.

Joyce added that a one-month delay wouldn't affect the types of entry-into-service. However, "if it's six months or a year, that can make a big difference."