AIRLINES : Qantas to Delay Plane Deliveries

Qantas Airways Ltd., Australia’s state-owned international carrier, said today it will reschedule deliveries of Boeing aircraft because of the decline in air travel. “The number hasn’t been determined, nor the time span involved,” a Qantas spokesman said. “But we are not canceling any orders.”

Representatives of Qantas and Boeing met Monday to consider the rescheduling. Qantas has ordered seven Boeing 747-400 aircraft worth $200 million each and four Boeing 767-300s worth $130 million each.

The 767-300s were due for delivery this year and the 747-400s by July, 1992. The airline has options to acquire about 30 more 747-400s by the year 2000.

Qantas, 49% of which is to be sold by the Australian government in 1992, has nine 747-400s and eight of the smaller 767-300s in its all-Boeing fleet.