"MALÉV Hungarian Airlines announced at the bi-annual Farnborough Air Show in the UK on Wednesday (July 16) that it is to buy a series of Bombardier Aerospace turbo-prop aircraft.The first four Q400 short- and medium-haul craft (pictured), which will be introduced this winter, will be second hand (MALÉV and the Canadian-based Bombardier prefer the terms “pre-owned”).
They will be followed by four new models in 2012, with an option for another four in 2013.In the event of a final agreement, and based on the list price of the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the value of the contract would be approximately $113m for the four new planes, and $226m if all the options are exercised.
“Malév will gradually introduce the Q400 aircraft, replacing the four 50-seater CRJ200s, and the five 72-seater F70 planes that are being taken out of service on a stage-by-stage basis from 2009,” said Malév CEO Péter Leonov.
“In view of the high kerosene prices afflicting the airline industry globally, the consumption characteristics and reduced environmental impact of the Q400 aircraft will assist in ensuring the highly efficient operation of Malév.”
When asked how long it was since the carrier had last used turbo-prop aircraft, Ádám Hegedûs, PR Manager at the airline, told The Budapest Sun that “Malév stopped passenger traffic operation of the [Russian-made Ilyushin] Il-18 in the mid-1970s.”
At a Farnborough press conference, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft President Gary R Scott welcomed Malév as the newest member of the Q400 airliner family.
Reduced impact
“With its acquisition of four pre-owned Q400 aircraft, Malév Hungarian Airlines becomes the 25th operator of the world’s most advanced turboprop.
“Quiet, fast and efficient with a reduced environmental impact, the Q400 will be the cornerstone aircraft of Malév’s fleet restructuring,” he said.
The first four aircraft, each six-years-old, will be taken over by the airline this fall, in time to be entered into service from the beginning of the winter timetable.
In 2010, Malév will decide whether to retain its used Q400 turboprops following the arrival of the new units, and whether it will confirm the order options it has for the deliveries in 2013.
Significantly lower fuel burn helps to give the Q400 the lowest operation costs per-seat in the regional aircraft market, Bombardier says.
Studies show that the operational costs of running Q400 turboprops will be better than older model jets, and their introduction into service should result in savings of several hundred dollars per flight.
The eight Q400 aircraft will also provide Malév with 22.4% more capacity compared to the existing regional jets in its fleet. Projected on an annual basis, that represents revenue of more than $10m.
With a maximum range of nearly 2,400km, the aircraft maker says the Q400 turboprop offers the perfect balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with the lowest environmental footprint.
With a maximum cruise speed of 360 knots (667 km/h), the Q400 turboprop will arrive at destinations in just a few minutes more than at present, whereas with other turboprop types the time differential on an average route can be longer."
Source: Budapest Sun
24.07.2008