31 Airbus A350s ordered by Japan Airlines in $9.5 bn deal

The order for 18 long-haul A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s is the first time that Japan Airlines will be using the European Aircraft manufacturer instead of its American rival, Boeing. The Airbus XWB aircrafts are said to be more fuel efficient than similar models, such as the Dreamliner made by Boeing , due to their ‘weight-efficient airframe,’ which uses 53 percent composites, titanium and advanced aluminium alloys.

President and CEO of Airbus, Fabrice Bregier, announced that “it fills us with pride to see a leading Japanese airline start a new chapter with us. This highlights a very bright and flourishing future for both of us, JAL and Airbus.”Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines says they have opted for the Airbus XWBs as they ‘’offer a high level of operational efficiency and product competitiveness.’’  He also says that the deal will allow JAL to cater ‘’to new business opportunities after slots at airports in Tokyo are increased.”

Japan Airways and its Japanese rival All Nippon Airways (ANA) are currently seeking $200m compensation for the series of problems suffered with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.  A JAL operated 787 caught fire at Boston’s Logan International Airport in January and in the same month a Dreamliner flown by All Nippon Airways was forced to make an emergency landing in Japan. The problems were caused by faulty lithium-ion batteries which have now been replaced in all Dreamliners after all 50 were grounded due to safety fears earlier this year.

JAL has placed the Airbus order after expanding its route, only one year after re-listing on the Tokyo stock exchange after bankruptcy, with one of the biggest initial public offerings of 2012, valued at $8.5bn.