GoMEA From France, joined Jan 2004, 202 posts, RR: 8 Posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1906 times:
I was wondering why MEA would not consider the A330-300 for its fleet expansion.
If the rumour of adding 2 A330's is true, the -300 could be excellent for the LHR and CDG routes which need capacity and not that much range. The A333 can handle 295 passengers on 10400 km, way enough for these routes. Also, it is available with the same Trent engines as the -200 hence incurring no extra cost. Training should be no problem
The 40 extra pax could be VERY helpful especially in high season activity (christmas and Summer).
Furthermore, it has a much higher cargo capacity, especially that it doesn't have the central tank (if I'm not mistaken)
The remaining A332 could then be used on the longer routes (Africa-Brazil).
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 1, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1882 times:
I am sure it's been considered. However, MEA's strategy is to intentionally slightly underserve destinations to always keep planes full year-round. If flights are always kept full, they can charge higher fares because of the higher demand than supply. This way MEA maintains higher yields which bring in more profits for MEA.
I think this is why they will not get the A330-300, but you are right. It is perfect for BEY-CDG and BEY-LHR which are always full.
We'll see how it goes.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, RR: 55 Reply 2, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1875 times:
I once thought of this too and brought it up. BA was able to answer it, I will quote him on this one:
The A330-300X is not an option for MEA at all. Range of the A330-300X is about 1050nm less than the A330-200 on a typical load. Quite a significant difference.
Th A330-300X has proven to be an excellent airliner for Intra-Asia routes and routes across the Atlantic between Western Europe and North America.
This is why the aircraft is very popular in Asia and why both US Airways and Air Canada operate them and why Northwest will be a future operator.
However, I do not think the aircraft will be a good idea for MEA. Infact, no Arab carrier operates A330-300s.
AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, RR: 55 Reply 3, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1860 times:
Oops, looks like we were talking about the 300 model in general.
Anyway, my own opinion of the issue is that since we finally sorted out the A332 ETOPS dilemma to GRU, an A330-300 might be overkill for the route especially with MEA's strategy of not having a hard time filling all the seats.
It looks like we are getting two more A330-200s, I guess F-OMED and F-OMEE.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 4, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1843 times:
It looks like we are getting two more A330-200s, I guess F-OMED and F-OMEE.
I think they will only be temporary leases for the summer.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, RR: 55 Reply 5, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1825 times:
I always thought it was weird that the A321s had the french registration even though they were owned by Middle East Airlines, Air Liban s.a.l.
It turns out that it costs less money like this because of some deal with Airbus, but still it would have been nice to see OD-something on the tails of those A321s.
OD720 From Lebanon, joined Feb 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 36 Reply 6, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1759 times:
As far as I know, MEA was looking for an airliner in the same catagory of the A300/310 for it's fleet renewing. Neither Airbus and nor Boeing had the perfect equipment so they went on with the A321 and the A330-200 (like many other airlines). This is why I think MEA doesn't want to look at the larger A330-300.
I don't know why, they always liked this class in capacity. Like they never ordered the B727 and the B737, and settled for the little larger 707/720. When they wanted to replace these, they were considering the B767 and the A310 and eventually chose the latter. Although they did order 3 747s.
What I mean is that the current types serve their needs (and probably the mentality too) but anything is possible.
MEA330 From Lebanon, joined Aug 2002, 268 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1689 times:
--> MEA never ruled out the A330-300, it still has a chance of entering the fleet down the line. The A330-300 has enough range to cover all of MEA,s current routes including Africa. In the event of further network expansion the 330-300 would also be able to cover a ABJ-GRU flight or direct to Asia KUL or SIN.
--> The French registration on the A321s is for legal reasons linked to the financing of the purchase. In 10 to 12 years when they are all payed for you might see them in OD- registration. Examples Aeroflot A319, RJ A320's
--> Short term leases like you are suggesting for the summer are always wet leases with the planes staying in their colours( or slight modification) with the crew and registration from country of origin( remember the /jmc A330 Hajj lease).
MEA321 From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 389 posts, RR: 17 Reply 9, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1678 times:
Last week I talked to an MEA A330 first officer for a while before our flight to London. I really wish I would have asked for specifics on the 4 additional aircrafts that they are bringing in. The pilot, whose name was Nabeel, just told me that they are bringing in two additional A330, but did not specifically say which type.
Personally I was really sad to see the A300/310 leave the fleet. They were such a nice, reliable aircraft. Supposedly they are missle proof! (Remember the DHL A310 in Iraq)
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 10, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1665 times:
MEA330,
When can we expect an aircraft order from MEA or the dry leases or brand new planes like MEA's existing 3 A330s (which are leased from ILFC)?
Rather than the temporary wet leases that you mentioned.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
OD720 From Lebanon, joined Feb 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 36 Reply 11, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1631 times:
MEA330,
Do you think they will bring in more planes only on short term leases? If true, this means there's no real intention for expansion.
I think with potential increase in capacity, they'll need more planes.
Also, the A330-300 can serve MEA's needs in regards to range. The capacity might be a problem though, only a few months ago the largest plane in the fleet was a single A300 and that's still smaller than the A332.
Yegbey01 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1679 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 1578 times:
Well,
Nothing on the schedules indicates that MEA will be adding any flights other than DUS, CPH and the additional frequencies to DXB.
I doubt the A333 is a candidate to be considered at this point. The A332 is capable of reaching YUL non-stop and is more than fine for the GRU with the one stop in DKR.
And if MEA does fly to YUL, it will create some space on the A332's that they fly to LHR and CDG. So, the additional spae would not be needed.
Having said that, if MEA does change its strategy from trying to fill seats by offering little capacity on some routes (an example here would be FRA.. three flights a week during winter with an A320 or A2321), they could start boosting service and offer connections to other points in the Middle East. But that's not in the cards at this point. (At least their summer schdeules suggest so).
MEA310 From Lebanon, joined Feb 2002, 660 posts, RR: 13 Reply 14, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1435 times:
It's all about guessing,whether the 4 aircrafts that MEA321 mentioned are to be leased only during the summer,or even brand new,which I highly doubt because we should've heard an official announcement by now.
The 332 should be fine for MEA,though the Paris & London sectors are usually packed with pax..
We need to wait for the summer schedule to clarify the idea & confirm 100% the newly proposed routes,especially those to Cotonou,Conackry...
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 15, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1381 times:
The A330-200 can easily make it to YUL from BEY and fly another 1000 miles following the great circle route.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
GoMEA From France, joined Jan 2004, 202 posts, RR: 8 Reply 16, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1333 times:
Thanks guys for your feedback,
you convinced me that considering MEA's current strategy, the -200 is a better choice.
Concerning the summer lease, I think , as BA said, that the planes will be on wet lease (Possibly GMC, coz they have same aircraft type, the -243??)
And, depending on the success of the summer routes, they will have firm order or brand new leases (ILFC type like the F-OME*). Indeed, planes ordered by october or novembrer could be delivered for the start of the next summer season (2005).
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