Japanese carrier ANA has confirmed an order for three Airbus A380 aircraft.
Reports that the airline was poised to place the order circulated at the start of the month (see news January 4), and Airbus has now confirmed that ANA will take delivery of the superjumbos from 2019.
The announcement means ANA will be the first Japanese airline to fly the A380 - fellow Japanese carrier Skymark Airlines had previously ordered six A380 superjumbos, but this agreement was cancelled in 2014, prior to the carrier filing for bankruptcy in early 2015.
The news follows this week’s announcement that Iran Air has agreed to purchase 118 Airbus aircraft as part of its civil aviation renewal programme. The order will include 12 A380 superjumbos.
The two new agreements are a boost for Airbus’ A380 programme, which has seen new orders stall in recent years.
British Airways is also understood to be considering leasing or buying more A380 aircraft as part of its fleet expansion plans (see news January 19).
Mark Caswell
