ANA finalises £9.8bn Airbus and Boeing orders

All Nippon Airways has finalised orders for new Airbus and Boeing aircraft worth $16.5 billion (£9.8 billion) at list prices. The Japanese carrier has signed up for 20 B777-9Xs, 14 B787-9s and six B777-300ER widebody aircraft. It has also agreed to purchase seven A320neos and 23 A321neo narrowbody jets. The orders are part of ANA's modernisation plan and the new aircraft will represent the backbone of its fleet well into the next decade, according to Reuters. The deals reflect ANA's continued commitment to Boeing widebody aircraft, while its growing narrowbody Airbus fleet will be used for short-haul and domestic services. This is in 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 A350 XWB (see news, October 2013). JAL will use the A350s to replace its ageing B777 fleet. ana.co.jp Graham Smith