cafedelmar From Spain, joined Jan 2011, 14 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 6238 times:
In October we talked about relations between Washington and Damascus that have improved since the beginning of the year 2010 and the U.S. government has authorized Boeing to achieve the revision of two 747SP Syrianair grounded since 2007.
no news since. There was a desire to rehabilitate the two planes. Anyone have news on the location of these two aircraft (still in Damascus or ferries elsewhere for maintenance).
What would be the Syrianair goal with putting back these two old planes flying.
I noted that the Gulf countries are where most 747SP are still in service.
kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11996 posts, RR: 36 Reply 1, posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 6178 times:
Quoting cafedelmar (Thread starter): I noted that the Gulf countries are where most 747SP are still in service.
Yes, but the rest of them are VIP aircraft - Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen and the UAE.
Quoting cafedelmar (Thread starter): What would be the Syrianair goal with putting back these two old planes flying.
Maybe they need the capacity; these acft are 35 years old now, so I can't imagine that (even if they are returned to service), they will be around for long. RB has indicated an interest in A330s (among other Airbus types), but sanctions have prevented this; perhaps the reactivation of the 74Ls are an interim solution?
BA6590 From UK - England, joined Jul 2007, 132 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 5974 times:
There were several articles in the local media around a year ago about a deal with a company in Saudi Arabia that had agreed to "refurbish" the airframes. It was also mentioned that a deal was underway for mainatance work to be carried out on the engines.
This was mentioned at a time when Syrian was having trouble maintaining the A320 fleet. I dont know how accurate the story was, but governement papers were carrying it too.
I have been lucky enough to have flown on the SPs several times on the DAM-LHR route, and I must say I loved every single one of those flights. The SP has got to be one of my all time favourites. Its a brilliant aircraft.
Quoting cafedelmar (Thread starter): Anyone have news on the location of these two aircraft (still in Damascus or ferries elsewhere for maintenance).
Last time I flew out of Damascus (Aug 2010) they were still there, and both were outside in the sunshine. The hangers were full of A320s and 727s.
"Never forget, the higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly" - Nietzsche -
crownvic From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 1615 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 5583 times:
There is a lot of specialty "know-how" in this region on older Boeing types. Look at Iran Air, who still operates them. Perhaps Tehran has agreed to assist in the overhaul of these a/c? Aside from mechanical issues that the Iranians have proven to be able to handle on older Boeings, fuel cost is the other issue. If Syrianair can secure cheap fuel, then the 74L can work for them...
Amir From Syria, joined Dec 1999, 1254 posts, RR: 13 Reply 4, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 4970 times:
Hi, Indeed last week (SOurce: Arabnews), RB reached agreement with AL Salam Aircraft Company to overhaul both the SP's in Riyadh the next months. Looks like we will still se them around for some time
crownvic From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 1615 posts, RR: 6 Reply 5, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 4565 times:
Great news! From an enthusiasts standpoint, the 74L is one of the few classic wide-bodies left flying that has great appeal. It is a nice change from the boring aircraft that now fill our airports!
BA6590 From UK - England, joined Jul 2007, 132 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4405 times:
Quoting Amir (Reply 4): Hi, Indeed last week (SOurce: Arabnews), RB reached agreement with AL Salam Aircraft Company to overhaul both the SP's in Riyadh the next months. Looks like we will still se them around for some time
Any news about the engines, last I heard was that the engines will need some maintanace as well.
Will Al Salam be taking care of that as well?
"Never forget, the higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly" - Nietzsche -
bmibaby737 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 1643 posts, RR: 10 Reply 8, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4057 times:
Quoting 777way (Reply 7): Why cant they get used IL-96 instead?
Probably be because their crews are trained on the 747, they're used to operating it, they own it, everything is geared up for the 747. Rather than introduce a new aircraft with other new expenses.
navigator From Sweden, joined Jul 2001, 1036 posts, RR: 15 Reply 10, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 3999 times:
Quoting kaitak (Reply 1): RB has indicated an interest in A330s (among other Airbus types), but sanctions have prevented this
They have a fleet of A320:s, please explain to me why they can not also have A330:s. How do those sanctions you are talking about function when it comes to Syrianair?
rutankrd From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 2037 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 3889 times:
The USA won't allow the sale transfer of new Airbus or Boeings or for that matter Canadian/Embraer aircraft because they ALL include US embargoed components.
Durrng recent months Syrian have been using a pair of elderly Jordanian B762 aircraft on the main routes to cover for problems with small A320 fleet and B74L groundings.
Interestingly however two ATRs have been received and are being employed regionally to the likes of Aleppo and Istanbul allowing the limited A320s to stengthen the LHR/CDG and MAD sectors once again.
This lack of aircraft has had a devastating effect upon Syrian's ability to serve their entire network effectively.
Resulting in withdrawals from Manchester Munich and others.
Oh and they have a few B722 still on inventory - These are barred from the EU for noise abbatment reasons but have been seen in Moscow and the Gulf from time to time.
As for Russian types well Syrian have a few Tu134 and Yak40s still serviceable and have used Tu154s.
They have considered the Tu204 and IL96 however given the inability of Russian aviation to actually deliver, why would anyone place an order and hand over a deposit - Well ?
navigator From Sweden, joined Jul 2001, 1036 posts, RR: 15 Reply 13, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 3688 times:
Quoting rutankrd (Reply 11): The USA won't allow the sale transfer of new Airbus or Boeings or for that matter Canadian/Embraer aircraft because they ALL include US embargoed components.
How does the US enforce this since they (Syrianair) have A320:s? They got them new... How did they get hold of those planes? How do those sanctions you are talking about function when it comes to Syrianair? And how come they can lease very american manufactured 752:s from jordan nowadays?
The last A320 delivered in 1999 pre dating these sanctions.
From time to time the US allows the export of safety critical equipment (Usually as a reward for services rendered in the Bush Jnr inspired Wars on terror)
So long as Jordan retain ownership of the B762s there is no problem.
Similar arrangements have allowed Cubana to have TACA operate A320s regionally and variuos European carriers operate DC10 and A330 for them from Havana - Europe until recent arrivals of their IL96, and Tu204s
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