Air Transat - 738 Or A320 This Year?

[Positiveclimb]

Is Transat getting 737s this year to replace the A310s? I have also been hearing that they might lease A320's?

Any of this true?

[skyismine]

To replace the A310's? Not true... To cut costs associated with using CanJet 737's? True. The airline wants to operate its own fleet of aircraft in the 150-180 seat class and it sounds like the 737-800 will be the choice although one would think A320 to keep the fleet somewhat in the Airbus lineage.

[Dh8Classic]

Rumour has it that Skyregional will be getting the A320's.

The good news....no artificial language requirements.

[skyismine]

Looks like this summer won't see CanJet operating the summer flights to Mexico from YEG,YYC and YVR. Enerjet will instead operate its 737-700's for transat for the low season.

YEG-YYC-CUN 1x weekly
YEG-YYC-PVR. 1x weekly
YVR-CUN 1x weekly
YVR-PVR 1x weekly

All operated by Enerjet from May to October.

[skyismine]

Transat has agreed to the reduction of staff on its A330 flights by reducing cabin staff from 11 to 10 to reduce costs. First A310-300 leaves the fleet this summer. With on average 1-2 per year to eliminated leading to eventual removal of the type from the fleet. First 737-800 should join the fleet in winter 13 followed by upto 11 738's added by winter 14. Also looking to add 2 more A330-200's by early 15. Deal with CanJet as mentioned will not be renewed. As for this summer Enerjet will takeover a few flights at least temporarily. Plan for the airline is to operate A330-200/300's and 737-800's with upto 18 Boeings being added allowing more flexibility and increased flights in the long term.

[Jim la Jungle]

First 737-800 should join the fleet in winter 13 followed by upto 11 738's added by winter 14. Also looking to add 2 more A330-200's by early 15. Deal with CanJet as mentioned will not be renewed.

Source please!

[fivemoreminutes]

Nice try Skyisblind. BOD meeting isn't until Apr 3rd. So your info is incorrect, inaccurate, unfounded, unprofessional and frankly just plain BS. I think we will all know on Apr 3rd.

[skyismine]

^yes you sure will.

[imc]

Can't wait to see what 18 737-800s will be doing in the summer. Sounds like a grand idea.

[fivemoreminutes]

Well you must know something we all do not.. And the waiting continues..

[DeltaHotel]

I sure hope you are right skyismine !

However, you should definatly tell us a bit more about your sources.
We are all waiting to find out and we were told the BOD would decide on Apr 3rd. From there I wouldn't be surprised if we had to wait a couple more weeks before they make an announcement.

[I WAS Birddog]

Actually kids you're ALL wrong...

There's a bunch of left over YMX PTV's that they are planning on strapping wings to and calling it the new L-1012's.



"Phuque the HAirBus!" -CEO Jaques BienVoiOnDonc

[bizjets101]

Thursday April 4th 2013 - Transat Press Release


Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada's holiday travel leader, will add Boeing B737 narrow-body jets to Air Transat's fleet, which currently comprises Airbus A310 and A330 wide-body aircraft, beginning in 2014. In so doing, the company will internalize its medium-haul operations outbound from Canada to sun destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida, for which it has relied on a third-party partner since 2003.

Some of the new aircraft will be permanently attached to the fleet. In winter, when demand on sun destination routes is higher, additional aircraft will be introduced on a seasonal basis. Eventually, Transat plans to operate five narrow-body aircraft permanently and six seasonal aircraft in winter.

Air Transat's wide-body fleet, which operates on the transatlantic market on an annual basis, will continue to serve certain sun destinations as well. In the years to come, the number of wide-body aircraft will be reduced and third-party carriers could be used in high season. In the same spirit, Transat should maintain its business relationship with its current partner, CanJet Airlines, beyond April 30, 2014 for certain flights. This strategy aims to ensure a so-called "accordion" fleet that meets the needs of the tourism market.

In preparation for the introduction of narrow-body aircraft to its fleet, Air Transat recently reached agreements with its employees that will enable a reduction in operating costs. Internalization of medium-haul operations, including the impact of the said agreements, should generate savings of some $8 million in 2013, $15 million in 2014 and $30 million per year in 2015 and beyond. In addition to the positive impact on operating costs, the grouping of operations under the same roof will pave the way for increased standardization of services to travellers and customer experience.

"A return to profitability remains our primary goal, and operating costs, particularly air costs, are an essential factor in profitability for any tour operator," said Jean-Marc Eustache, president and chief executive officer of Transat. He added: "Internalizing medium-haul operations has several advantages, including increased control over our aviation operations, the implementation of a more competitive cost structure and having Air Transat cabin crews on all of our flights."

Every year, Transat markets more than 1 million round-trip seats outbound from Canada to sun destinations, mainly in the winter season, and more than 1 million round-trip seats on the transatlantic market between Canada and some 30 European destinations, mostly in summer.

[Brmac]

Given the Boeing backlog for brand new 737NGs right now, (2017+ ?) especially after the huge Ryanair & Norwegian orders recently, does AT plan to lease 5 gently-used for their permanent 738 fleet? Any ideas from who?