6th A330 for Brussels Airlines ?

[Bottie]

I thought this one will be scrapped?

Correct, will be the first A330 that will be scrapped

[liebensd]

I thought this one will be scrapped?

Correct, will be the first A330 that will be scrapped

I just linked both messages, didn't knew about the scrapping.

The carrier says in its 2010 annual report that its fleet of eight A330s is "larger than we currently require and it is intended that one aircraft will be sold in 2011".

But why are they talking about selling one of the eight A330 if they only have 7 of them when EI-ORD will be scrapped? Or are they selling it to the scrap man?


Greetz,

Dave

[diminbru]

I thought I read somewhere that Air Berlin was going to sell/return two of their A330-300's

[airtrotter]

I thought I read somewhere that Air Berlin was going to sell/return two of their A330-300's

it's a possibility, these A333 also have P&W engines.

[b.lufthansa]

Bet on new York for Brussels newest destination, the guy from ba comm can't stop talking 'bout it !

[RoMax]

Bet on new York for Brussels newest destination, the guy from ba comm can't stop talking 'bout it !

It depends. There are rumours that SN will start some new african routes late this year like Lagos (see topic about bilateral agreement with Nigeria). And USA routes are planned for S12, so it is at least on of the next routes for SN, but maybe not the newest as from now.

[RoMax]

Once again Brussels Airlines reaffirmed its intent to launch service to the US, but plans are still under analys. Brussels Airlines said everything depends on obtaining transatlantic antitrust immunity with it's Star/LH partners wich are joined in the Atlantic Plus- Plus joint venture.

Last month, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines Group, British Midland, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal and United Airlines asked the US Dept. of Transportation to include SN in the scope of their ATI and the Atlantic Plus-Plus agreement. The request was filed as a joint motion and not a formal application in an effort to avoid a longer, more in-depth evaluation process with comments and possibly objections filed by third parties.
The carriers claim that Lufthansa has "sole" and "effective" control of SN—it holds 45% of parent company SN Air Holding and has the option to purchase the remaining 55% in its entirety during specific periods in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Therefore, allowing SN to join the ATI Atlantic Plus-Plus partnership is "consistent with the antitrust immunity granted to Austrian, British Midland and Swiss," all of which are fully owned subsidiaries of LH.

The Star partners also argue that adding an additional hub at the center of Europe and the unique SN network, increases "the options available to the traveling and shipping public, and expands inter-alliance and inter-gateway competition with no adverse impact whatever upon competition."
"We filed the motion but we do not know what the DOT will decide," said Sciot, adding he could not put a timeframe on the expected approval. A company source, however, told ATW that the carrier hopes to be included in the JV by year-end and possibly launch its first service to the US in the next IATA summer schedule, pointing out that New York JFK is not currently served directly from BRU by any Star carriers. UA links BRU with Washington Dulles and Chicago; CO flies to BRU from Newark and US Airways—which is not part of the JV—from Philadelphia.

http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/ne ... rvice-0523

Nothing really new actually. But let's hope JFK will be a/on of the new destination(s) for summer 2012 (together with another AFI expansion?)...

[Darjeeling]

Forget about a sixth in 2011.

2012 is more realistic, they're normally obliged to launch a joint-venture on TATL out of BRU, most probably JFK, an A332 would be ideal for the mission. So we might still wonder if the sixth is for N.A or new destinations in AFI. So many factor will play as 2011 won't be be a great financial year for SN (for once Africa is guilty ).

Do expect a small West African ops reshuffle as of July 2011. But no revolution.

[cnc]

i had a dream SN got 2 A343's to start south america/south africa ops
any news yet on which frame the 6th one might be?

[flyfred007]

Het wordt tijd om een zesde aan te schaffen hè , waarom duurt het altijd zo lang .... Zo gaan verschillende opurtuniteiten verloren ex Montréal ....

[sn26567]

@flyfred007 please use English in this forum

[RoMax]

Het wordt tijd om een zesde aan te schaffen hè , waarom duurt het altijd zo lang .... Zo gaan verschillende opurtuniteiten verloren ex Montréal ....

The result of the investors/shareholders of SN wich don't want to invest too much in the airline (except from Lufthansa) and the stupid idea of having two CEO's wich have another opinion about expansion...

Boston and New York could be nice additions to the SN network, especially when they offer a good product at a price wich is in line with the service. But I think Montreal and Chicago could have been good destinations for SN also since they are in Star alliance. But now with AC and UA flying on these routes it would be (too?) difficult for SN to operate succesfull on these routes.

[BrightCedars]

Boston and New York could be nice additions to the SN network, especially when they offer a good product at a price wich is in line with the service. But I think Montreal and Chicago could have been good destinations for SN also since they are in Star alliance. But now with AC and UA flying on these routes it would be (too?) difficult for SN to operate succesfull on these routes.

I think the JV is such that there could be decisions that go as far as withdrawal of an airline's metal for another one (i.e. SN metal replacing UA metal on ORD). However I do not think that it will be on SN or LHs agenda unless the unit cost of SN is substantially lower than that of current operator on a given route, I kind of doubt this.

I always forget BOS and yes that was a good destination in Sabena's time and it could be one once more. However, it is the typical destination which would best be served by a B757 or by an A319LR, unless LH agrees to concentrate some BOS connecting traffic at BRU rather than elsewhere (MUC, VIE, ZRH come to mind) to fill up a bigger plane. BRU being the most Westerly hub/port before congested LHR, it's not in the realm of the impossible in the longer term.

[RoMax]

Do expect a small West African ops reshuffle as of July 2011. But no revolution.

Indeed some operational changes:

As per 25MAY11 GDS timetable display, brussels airlines is adjusting operational routing to Abidjan, Accra, Douala and Monrovia from 29JUN11 to 04SEP11.

Details:

Abidjan Increase from 2 to 3 weekly, operating Brussels – Monrovia – Abidjan – Brussels, instead of Brussels – Abidjan – Accra – Brussels

Accra 2 of 4 weekly operates Brussels – Douala – Accra – Brussels, replacing Abidjan stop on outbound (Brussels – Lome – Accra – Brussels remains 2 weekly)

Douala Operational Day change from Day 136 to Day 137. Day 37 service operates as tri-angle routing via Accra on inbound. Day 1 remains nonstop both direction

Monrovia 3 weekly service operates via Abidjan on inbound, replace Banjul technical stop

SN245 BRU1210 – 1700ROB1810 – 1930ABJ2030 – 0510+1BRU 333 357
SN365 BRU1405 – 1955DLA2055 – 2210ACC2325 – 0755+1BRU 333 37

http://airlineroute.net/2011/05/25/sn-jul11/

[Atlantis]

With the additional African destination, Bamako, can we expect also an additional aircraft? Or are they going to reshuffle again?

One more African destination would be preferable.

A second step, America? Non-stop to New York as there is no Star airline who connects both cities. And a triangular BRU - YUL - BOS.

[SN1203]

With the additional African destination, Bamako, can we expect also an additional aircraft? Or are they going to reshuffle again?

Why would a twice weekly Bamako lead to 'again' reshuffles or a 6th aircraft? I don't see the need for any of the two to be honest...

And a triangular BRU - YUL - BOS

With triangular, you mean they should launch it as a BRU-YUL-BOS-BRU? I don't see the purpose for that either...

[Atlantis]

With triangular, you mean they should launch it as a BRU-YUL-BOS-BRU? I don't see the purpose for that either...

Indeed BRU - YUL - BOS - BRU. After NY, BOS could be or will be an important destination in the portfolio of SN. But again, with a small O&D market they can't do it as a single or non-stop destination. With YUL in the neighborhood they could use that important destination. Canada is an important destination especially the Quebec province for Belgians.

[RoMax]

First I tought they would need a 6th aircraft. But FIH is two weekly non-stop only in July and August as from September not anymore so they can launch a new two weekly destination and that is Bamako. No need for another A330 for Bamako. But I have the idea we can expect something more towards the start of S12. Don't know if we'll see something new in W11-12, but S12 can become interesting I think.

[Shanti]

I hope the 6th A330 for Brussels Airlines will not fly to Africa but other interesting destinations.
Fingers crossed!

[Passenger]

edited - reply deleted - as it's already mentionned here:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=45247