It takes about 3-4 mths after getting the new seats to do a refit. Its better to do it than before they fly again and then take them out of service to do when they are sitting on the tarmac now. The 737 Max will definitely go back to flying likely by mid year or at most by sep/oct. Already if SQ starts ordering the new seats now, doubt the refit if the 6 Max can be done by then. On pax wanting to fly the Max, believed only the ones who knows planes maybe concern somewhat but for the majority many do not know the difference between a standard 737-800 and a 737-800 Max or between a 737 and a A320. Sikair and SQ will have to fly the Max as doubt the airline will simply get rid of all the max and lose millions if not a billion. And if Silkair only uses the Max for some cities, does it mean pax will not fly in it?
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Quite right. It is likely their hand has been forced. There is a substantial wait for the A320NEOs at the moment and they would be paying a pretty penny for them anyway, so the sensible choice for them would likely be to stick with the 737s.
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Yes even if SQ/MI order the A320NEO now it have a waiting list of at least 2 years. However it should be noted that MI used to fly an all A320 fleet until think about 3 years ago that it changes its mind to buy and replace its fleet with the 737 Max and to dispose of its existing A320s to Scoot.Last edited by flyguy; 23 February 2020, 11:35 AM.
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Originally posted by flyguy View PostYes even if SQ/MI order the A320NEO now it have a waiting list of at least 2 years. However it should be noted that MI used to fly an all A320 fleet until think about 3 years ago that it changes its mind to buy and replace its fleet with the 737 Max and to dispose of its existing A320s to Scoot.
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Not sure where they would refit them. SIN is clogging up with planes that aren’t needed due to the cuts to flights, ASP is hardly suitable as a location and has no skilled workforce available or capacity to accommodate FIFO workers and before all else, they need to get special permission to fly those planes anywhere. If you’re a conservative beancounter at SQ, there’s a whole smorgasbord of uncertainties to pick from in saying no.
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Given how risk averse SQ usually is, they won't do the refit for 737MAX until they get clearance from CAAS.
The current situation gives them time to re-asses the situation.
Perhaps some of the Chinese carriers will defer A320s for rest of the year and that could open up new slots. But it will be very costly for them to make the switch now.
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Originally posted by nocturne View PostPerhaps some of the Chinese carriers will defer A320s for rest of the year and that could open up new slots. But it will be very costly for them to make the switch now.
Alternatively, given the slow down in traffic down, they could kick the can down the road a year or two, which may give them some time to make a decision as to what to do with the narrowbody fleet. I reckon it'll be quite hard for them to get out of the MAX contract unless they swap it for more 777 and 787s maybe?
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Strangely, they had already done that with TR. They were due to transfer the MI 737-800s to them and had the pilots trained up. At that time, the mixed fleet for TR didn't make sense. Thankfully, the 737MAX grounding, made it easy for them to undo the mistake.
I think the bigger issue is getting the A320s rather than renegotiating with Boeing. They can easily swap for the 787s and 777s. Remember Vistara is expected to make additional widebody orders,so that could work as well to swap
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Originally posted by a340-313x View PostQuite right. It is likely their hand has been forced. There is a substantial wait for the A320NEOs at the moment and they would be paying a pretty penny for them anyway, so the sensible choice for them would likely be to stick with the 737s.
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I believe they have 31 A320NEOs and 16 A321NEOs on order.
But I believe alot of delivery slots will be made available from Asian airlines for this year and next.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...21neo-11762978
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