Boeing finally announced a new commercial aircraft sales agreement in 2020. Or almost. All Nippon Airways (ANA) confirmed this week its intention to acquire 11 787-10 jets and a 787-9, in addition to five options of this variant, in a deal valued at more than $ 5 billion. The Japanese airline, which is also the launch customer of the 787 and its largest operator in the world, intends to lease three more such jets with Atlantis Aviation Corporation.
The new order, which should make ANA’s 787 fleet exceed 100 aircraft, brings a differential, the option for GEnx-1B turbofans. Until then, the company had always chosen the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine, but the frequent problems may have influenced the decision.
“Boeing’s 787s have served ANA with distinction, and we are proud to expand our fleet by adding more of these technologically-advanced aircraft,” said ANA executive vice president Yutaka Ito.
ANA has grown into one of the leading airline groups in Asia by continually raising the bar for customer satisfaction and investing in the most technologically-advanced and capable fleet. We are truly honored that ANA HD is coming back to order more 787 planes with plans to boost their Dreamliner fleet to more than 100 jets,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing from Boeing.
ANA will replace part of its oldest 777s with the 787-10, which are used on domestic flights. It is worth remembering that the Japanese company, as well as its rival JAL, used the 747 in the SR (Short Range) variant with a high density layout to serve the country’s internal routes.
ANA has so far accumulated six agreements with Boeing to acquire the 787. Currently, the airline operates 71 model aircraft – 36 of the 787-8 version, 33 of the 787-9 variant and two 787-10. There are still 11 units to be delivered that are not part of the new agreement.
For Boeing, the negotiation comes at a good time. In January, the airframer had no aircraft sold, something that only happened in 1962. This month, the company did not make any other sales public, however, it is possible that some undisclosed customer order may appear in the February report.
As it still needs to be formalized, the All Nippon Airways order should not be included.
