Avianca announced on Thursday its decision to standardize its widebody aircraft fleet with only Boeing 787-8 jets. As a result, the Colombian carrier must dispose its six remain Airbus A330-200.
The company, which joined Chapter 11 in the US, intends to use only the Dreamliner on its long-haul routes to North America and Europe.
“One of Avianca’s strategic goals is to simplify the fleet and increase efficiency; selecting the 787-8 as the only aircraft type for long-haul flights is a significant step toward that goal,” said Rohit Philip, Chief Financial Officer of Avianca.
We hope to keep our executive cabin seats, geared towards business travelers, while we redesign the rest of the aircraft with state-of-the-art seating for the next 18 months.”
Currently, Avianca has 13 Boeing 787-8 jets, eight of which were acquired directly from Boeing and five are leased. In addition, the company has a 787-9, with greater capacity, whose fate is uncertain.
As for the A330s, an aircraft was returned to the lessor in October. Of the remaining four are active, according to Planespotters.
Avianca’s Boeing 787-8 can carry 250 passengers in two classes. They are being used on flights between Bogota and the cities of Miami, New York and Madrid.
