After 15 years working as an aviation journalist and with contacts across the business, I thought now would be a good time to set up my own airline. When I was young Rich International Airways Lockheed L1011 TriStars would be frequent visitors to Europe from across the Atlantic so surely I could resurrect the name and establish my own venture!
OK, back in the real world after a little day dreaming this brings us on to a serious point, just how much does it now cost to buy a brand new aircraft? Well, Airbus has just released its average aircraft list prices for 2014 after taking into account a 2.6 per cent increase across the product line, and which is calculated according to Airbus’ standard escalation formula over the January 2013 to January 2014 period.
Starting at the bottom end of the portfolio the A318 will set you back a bargain $71.9 million, with the larger sister variants of the short-haul family costing $85.8 million for the A319, $93.9 million for the A320 and $110.1 million for the A321. The new generation versions of these aircraft come at an understandable premium at $94.9 million for the A319neo, $102.8 million for the A320neo and $120.5 million for the A321neo
If you want an Airbus widebody it will cost over $200 million, with the current production A330-200 available at $221.7 million (the freighter variant is $224.8 million) and the larger A330-300 for $245.6 million. If you want to go new generation the A350-800 is available for $245.6 million, the A350-900 for $295.2 million and the A350-100 for $340.7 million.
At the top of the Airbus portfolio sits the A380 which is commercially available for $414.4 million. It must be emphasized that these are list prices and most airlines would receive notable discounts based on size of an order, repeat contracts etc and could gain discounts of as much as 50 per cent. There is one suggestion that a major low-cost carrier secured a bumper order for Airbus equipment with a BOGOF (Buy one, Get one Free) deal, but this has never been confirmed.
“Our new 2014 pricing reaffirms the unbeatable value of Airbus’ modern, fuel-efficient aircraft family,” said John Leahy, chief operating officer, customers, at Airbus. “We see continuing strong demand in all aircraft size categories as our reliable, efficient product line enables customers to grow their businesses profitably as well as pleasing passengers who will always favour the most comfortable cabin.”
AND FINALLY…
It looks like my airline start-up plan will remain just a dream. But, I am not alone in my ambitions and plans to purchase an A380 even made it to Hollywood last year. But, can you name the film that the follow passage of text is taken from?
Skipper: I say we let it ride, then we pick up the hippies and fly back in style.
Kowalski: Can we get an Airbus A380?
Skipper: Solid gold, baby!
Kowalski: Skipper, I'm afraid a solid gold plane would be too heavy to fly.
Skipper: Kowalski, we're rich now. The laws of physics don't apply to us.
We will reveal the answer in next week’s ‘Friday Fun’. Who knows we may even find some prizes in the future.
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