Japan Airlines (JAL) has finalized a firm order with Airbus for 20 A350-900 widebody aircraft and 11 A321neo single-aisle planes. This commitment, initially announced earlier this year, was formalized during a signing ceremony at the Farnborough Air Show 2024. Yukio Nakagawa, Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Procurement for Japan Airlines, and Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, were present for the signing.
The newly ordered A350-900s will join JAL’s existing fleet of A350s, enhancing their international route offerings. Currently, JAL has 52 A350s on order, with 18 already in service. The addition of these aircraft will bolster the airline’s ability to provide superior service on international flights.
The A321neo order marks JAL’s first venture into Airbus’s single-aisle product line, with these planes set to operate on domestic routes within Japan. This move is part of JAL’s strategy to modernize and expand its domestic fleet with more fuel-efficient and advanced aircraft.
Commitment to Excellence and Sustainability
“We are delighted to have signed the firm order for the introduction of additional A350s and new A321s. We will accelerate the introduction of the state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient aircraft to provide our passengers with excellent service and to reduce CO₂ emissions. We believe that this additional introduction of Airbus aircraft will further deepen our partnership,” said Yukio Nakagawa.
Christian Scherer of Airbus added, “We thank Japan Airlines for placing its confidence once again in the A350. In addition, we celebrate a new milestone in our partnership with the airline following its order for the A321neo. We are committed to providing our full support to Japan Airlines as its growing fleet is deployed on more routes across its network, both domestically and internationally.”
Airbus’s A350 aircraft are already equipped to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims to make its aircraft 100% SAF capable by 2030, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of aviation. This aligns with JAL’s efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and enhance the environmental performance of its fleet.
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