All Nippon Airways (ANA) has finalised an order for new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, worth US$16.5 billion at list price.
The Japanese carrier has put pen to paper for 20 Boeing B777-9X, 14 B787-9 and six B777-300ER widebody aircraft. It has also agreed to purchase seven Airbus A320neo and 23 A321neo narrowbody jets.
According to a report by Reuters, the orders are part of ANA’s plan to modernise, and the new aircraft will represent the backbone of its fleet well into the next decade.
The deals reflect ANA’s continued commitment to Boeing’s widebody aircraft, while the growing narrowbody Airbus fleet will be used for short-haul and domestic operations.
This is a stark contrast to that of competitor Japan Airlines, which has begun favouring Airbus’ twin-aisled jets for its long-haul operations.
JAL made its first ever order with Airbus last October when it agreed to purchase 31 Airbus A350XWB. As previously reported by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific (see here), JAL will use the A350 to replace its ageing B777 fleet.
The airline attributed the decision to: “various factors such as [the] high safety [standards], high quality of aircraft with long-time durability, [and] the support from [the] maker”.
For more information, visit ana.co.jp
Clement Huang
