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Jan 21, 2020 (newstodate): After a prolonged scrutiny of options, Air Greenland decided on the Airbus A330-800neo as the prime choice for its Transatlantic operations.
-We could go for either new or used Boeing 787 aircraft, or new or used Airbus A330 aircraft. The decision landed on the acquisition of a new Airbus A330-800neo as a perfect match to the future airport infrastructure in Greenland, says Jacob Nitter Sorensen, Air Greenland CEO.
-In September 2019, we contracted Skytech-AIC to assist us in evaluating options for the replacement of our Airbus A330-200 aircraft, providing a second opinion on our assessment of needs and capabilities. And measured on all parameters the new Airbus A330-800neo will serve Air Greenland and the country's society and businesses well.
-Also, the timing of entry into service by end of 2021 of the new aircraft fits with the end of service life of the power plants of our current Airbus aircraft near the end of 2022. Once the time frame for production of the new aircraft has been settled, Air Greenland will put the current Airbus A330-200 up for sale, and the two aircraft will thus not be operating simultaneously.
-While the new Airbus aircraft will offer a longer range, the main asset is that its fuel capacity will allow for keeping the aircraft in holding position during adverse weather conditions rather than forcing it to return or seek alternative airports.
-The aircraft will also be able to operate fully loaded and fuelled at the 2,200m runways at Greenland's coming two new airports at Nuuk and Ilulissat without weight penalties on the route to and from Denmark, which will also benefit the cargo capacity.
-With today's Transatlantic airport at Kangerlussuaq, our cargo capacity has been strained as all cargo has to be transferred between the Airbus A330 and Dash 8 aircraft serving domestic feeder flights.
-Moving the Transatlantic flights between Denmark and Greenland to the coming two new airports will offer entirely new possibilities for Air Greenland to serve the country with cargo capacity for crucial import shipments as well as new opportunities for exporters of not least Greenlandic seafood to the global market place via Copenhagen Airport, says Mr Sorensen.
The acquisition of the new Airbus A330-800neo starts out as a MoU as a prelude to a firm order expected to be signed later this year.
So far, no decision has been made, or announced, on whether Air Greenland will purchase the aircraft outrightly, or take delivery under a lease contract.
-We could go for either new or used Boeing 787 aircraft, or new or used Airbus A330 aircraft. The decision landed on the acquisition of a new Airbus A330-800neo as a perfect match to the future airport infrastructure in Greenland, says Jacob Nitter Sorensen, Air Greenland CEO.
-In September 2019, we contracted Skytech-AIC to assist us in evaluating options for the replacement of our Airbus A330-200 aircraft, providing a second opinion on our assessment of needs and capabilities. And measured on all parameters the new Airbus A330-800neo will serve Air Greenland and the country's society and businesses well.
-Also, the timing of entry into service by end of 2021 of the new aircraft fits with the end of service life of the power plants of our current Airbus aircraft near the end of 2022. Once the time frame for production of the new aircraft has been settled, Air Greenland will put the current Airbus A330-200 up for sale, and the two aircraft will thus not be operating simultaneously.
-While the new Airbus aircraft will offer a longer range, the main asset is that its fuel capacity will allow for keeping the aircraft in holding position during adverse weather conditions rather than forcing it to return or seek alternative airports.
-The aircraft will also be able to operate fully loaded and fuelled at the 2,200m runways at Greenland's coming two new airports at Nuuk and Ilulissat without weight penalties on the route to and from Denmark, which will also benefit the cargo capacity.
-With today's Transatlantic airport at Kangerlussuaq, our cargo capacity has been strained as all cargo has to be transferred between the Airbus A330 and Dash 8 aircraft serving domestic feeder flights.
-Moving the Transatlantic flights between Denmark and Greenland to the coming two new airports will offer entirely new possibilities for Air Greenland to serve the country with cargo capacity for crucial import shipments as well as new opportunities for exporters of not least Greenlandic seafood to the global market place via Copenhagen Airport, says Mr Sorensen.
The acquisition of the new Airbus A330-800neo starts out as a MoU as a prelude to a firm order expected to be signed later this year.
So far, no decision has been made, or announced, on whether Air Greenland will purchase the aircraft outrightly, or take delivery under a lease contract.