Japan Airlines to buy 42 new planes from Airbus and Boeing

JAL will buy 42 new Boeing and Airbus jets in a multibillion dollar order to expand its international network amid rising demand, with the European planemaker winning the larger share of the spoils. The Tokyo-based airline is purchasing 21 Airbus 350-900 and 10 Boeing 787 widebody jets, it said in a statement Thursday. Significantly, JAL will buy 11 A321neos, breaking Boeing’s exclusive hold as the sole single-aisle jet supplier amid its ongoing production troubles and quality issues exposed by the Jan. 5 accident on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max jet. “We are seeking further business growth by introducing new fleets,” while providing a “safe” travel experience to the customers, incoming President Mitsuko Tottori said during a press conference as the company announced its 2024 rolling plan ahead of its mid-term plan ending in 2025. The announcement will help Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who’s set to pay an official visit to the US next month, where he will be anxious to underscore the merits of bilateral business ties in talks with President Joe Biden. With a US election looming, Japan and other allies are preparing for a potential return to power by Donald Trump, who has been fiercely critical of Japan’s trade surplus with its second-largest trading partner, and threatened to impose a 10% universal tariff. “These new aircraft introductions aim to enhance and expand the capacity of JAL’s international operations, with a primary focus on regions such as North America, Asia and India where future growth is expected,” the carrier said in the statement. The new planes will be introduced over six years, starting in fiscal 2027.<br/>