Irobertson From Canada, joined Apr 2006, 563 posts, RR: 5 Posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2062 times:
I just noted this picture in the database and the photographer noted the change in registration, including a note that the 767-200ER below is to be scrapped at Kemble.
I'm almost a little shocked by this, since the aircraft is not *that* old and it was only just purchased not two years ago by this carrier from XL. Does anyone have any details as to why this ETOPS qualified bird is to be cut up so soon after acquisition? Was it simply poorly maintained over the years by Britannia or XL, cycles reached their limits, or something else? Surely it's not an unattractive type with the extended range.
Alangirvan From New Zealand, joined Nov 2000, 1482 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1968 times:
Victoria , 15th September 2008 – Air Seychelles has announced that it has suspended the use of one of its regional B767’s, La Belle Creole as it was on sub-lease from XL Airways.
XL Airways is now under administration and the administrators have announced that all existing contracts between XL and third parties are suspended. As until the legalities are cleared Air Seychelles is not in a position to operate this aircraft.
Another B767-200 named Amirantes has been delivered from the leasing company, ILFC to Air Seychelles and is being prepared for entry into service.
However, a new maintenance provider is being sought as XL no longer provides maintenance support.
In the meantime twice weekly services to and from Johannesburg and one weekly service to Singapore have been rescheduled on alternative days of the week and will be operated by the airline’s larger B767-3300 aircraft.
Services to other destinations have not been affected.
Air Seychelles regrets the inconvenience this is causing its esteemed customers and is making sure that this situation is short-lived.
CHRISBA777ER From Singapore, joined Mar 2001, 4982 posts, RR: 62 Reply 2, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1888 times:
Being ex-Britannia, i would think she has high cycles as the years of shuttling backwards and forwards from Paphos, Alicante, Las Palmas, Faro and Palma de Majorca have to have taken their toll. Just not a competitive type any more, unfortunately, so values are low, and so the expensive D checks etc just not worth doing.
Lotsamiles From United States of America, joined May 2005, 267 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1695 times:
Too much money required to prepare her for another lease, in the current market the best way forward is to break her up and sell the parts. 80A2 engines don't help either.
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 3461 posts, RR: 45 Reply 4, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1664 times:
combining reply 1 with the new facts it seems Air Seychelles liked the aircraft and was planning to keep it for some time yet, but formalities after XLs demise made them having to give it back to the owner in september. And then the crisis came full blown after september, and it was not worth it for Air Seychelles to renew the lease with the new owner. Probably there were extra costs involved like getting crews and new certification, maybe some small overhaul, everything combined was not worth it.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?