European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced a new deal with Japanese Airlines (JAL) worth £5.9billion.
The first-time deal between the two companies will result in Airbus supplying JAL with 31 of its A350 planes, as well as the option for a further 25 planes.
The win for Airbus will result in the largest order for the A350 so far this year, and will be the largest order from a Japanese airline the company has filled.
JAL and Airbus aim to have the new planes in service from 2019, with the airline’s A350 XWBs gradually replacing its ageing fleet over a six year period.
Airbus’s Japanese delivery backlog percentage has tripled from two years ago – representing its growing commercial success in Japan.
Airbus has fostered strong industrial connections in the region, with Japanese companies such as Bridgestone, Panasonic, Yokogawa Electric and Minebea contributing to all of Airbus’ current production aircraft. In addition, Toray and Toho Tenax signed a long-term agreement in 2010 to supply carbon fibre for the company’s jetliners.
