§ 46 and 47. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Aviation (1) whether he will make a statement about the progress of re-equipment of the fleet of British European Airways aircraft with the Trident, and in particular on the possibility of this re-equipment involving an all-Trident fleet for continental regional operations;
(2) what information he has as to when British European Airways is expected to finalise its decision to take up its option on 12 Trident airliners; what will be the value of this order; and which version of this aircraft will be ordered.
§ Mr. AmeryB.E.A. has already placed orders for 24 Trident I aircraft.
Deliveries are expected to begin about the end of this year and the Trident will be introduced on the Corporation's normal scheduled services in April, 1964.
I understand discussions are now in progress between the Corporation and the manufacturers regarding the Corporation's option on further aircraft of this type. Decisions on the number and mark of aircraft to be ordered are of course primarily matters for the Corporation.