Crosswind From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 2572 posts, RR: 59 Posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1601 times:
Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on National Airlines future expansion plans, in the light of the airline being placed in Chaper 11 bankrupcy protection.
As I understood, the airline's operations were to continue as normal while the company reorganised. But I also thought the airline was to continue with planned future fleet expansion; to my knowledge the airline had orders for 8 B757-200s from GECAS. Correct me if I'm wrong...
The first 2 aircraft of the order were completed in late December, ready for delivery to National, but were placed into storage. These aircraft are now in the UK being prepared for delivery for another airline.
Has National cancelled the whole GECAS order for 8 B757-200s, and in effect frozen their future expansion plans? Or do National still plan to take delivery of the remaining 6 aircraft?
Although I've never flown National (living in the UK) they appear to be an airline that offer a service that is considerably better than most major US Domestic airlines. They are also somewhat refreshing in being one of the very few recent US-startups that have commenced operations with modern equipment, ie not a 737-200, 727 or DC-9 etc! I also don't want the 757 to lose an important customer...
These aircraft arriving in the UK came as a bit of a surprise, since no order had been announced for them, and it just set me thinking about what was going on at National.
I'd be greatful if someone could shed some light on the siuation;
DTW/ORD Fan! From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 288 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1570 times:
That would be too bad, because they had future route plans to DTW. So we might not see a National 757 at Metro after all??
Crosswind From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 2572 posts, RR: 59 Reply 2, posted (12 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1529 times:
Have been doing some more research;
GECAS is listng the next 2 B757-200s allocated to National as available for lease;
msn 32448 Delivery 15-June-01
msn 32449 Delivery 15-July-01
So, that's 4 of the 8 aircraft that National will definately not be taking delivery of. It also means that National are scheduled to add no new aircraft to their fleet before mid-July at the earliest.
Does this affect any previously announced route-expansion, due to any resulting aircraft shortage?