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Northwest Airlines to acquire 14 new aircraft
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Posted on Dec 15 2005
Northwest Airlines has agreed with two aircraft manufacturers on financing and delivery of 14 A330-300 and A330-200 airplanes as the air carrier company enhances its fleet’s jet fuel efficiency. The new aircraft will be part of Northwest’s fleet beginning 2006 and 2007.
In a recent media statement, Northwest said its agreements with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney have been submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York for approval.
“The A330 is the most modern, fuel-efficient jet in Northwest’s international fleet, and as such, it is a vital part of securing our future,” said Northwest president and chief executive officer Doug Steenland.
“The continued financing agreements with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney will ensure that Northwest can continue to meet customer needs by offering a wide-ranging international route system,” Steenland added.
According to Northwest, Airbus has agreed to finance 10 of the 14 A330s, while Pratt & Whitney will finance the other four. Northwest currently operates a fleet of 11 A330-300 aircraft on trans-Atlantic routes and seven A330-200 aircraft on trans-Pacific and intra-Asia routes.
“The A330 also provides Northwest with significant maintenance savings and up to 30 percent in fuel savings over the DC10-30 aircraft it is replacing. The A330 possesses a similar flight deck and systems as Northwest’s Airbus A319/A320 fleet, which also helps contain training expenses for the airline,” read Northwest’s media statement.
Northwest, the fourth largest airline company in the world, filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in court earlier this year to allow the company to restructure its debts so that it could continue to operate. The company had assured that the petition’s filing would have little impact on its global operations.
Northwest flies daily to Saipan from Tokyo and Nagoya. Northwest also began nonstop daily flights between Osaka and Saipan on Oct. 1, filling the gap left by Japan Airlines, which stopped regularly scheduled direct flights to Saipan on Oct. 4.
The CNMI government has maintained close partnership with Northwest, especially after the pullout of JAL’s regular flight services to Saipan.
