Japan Airlines to purchase 30 Boeing 737NG's

At a board meeting in Tokyo today, Japan Airlines decided to introduce the Boeing 737NG aircraft on it’s domestic network, settling the carrier’s selection of a new type of small, single aisle airplane for future fleet development.

JAL said it aims to conclude an agreement on the purchase of 30 aircraft and 10 options in spring this year. The 737Next-Generation series includes the 737-700, -800, and –900X types.

JAL is ordering the new aircraft in response to increased departure and arrival slots resulting from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport’s continued expansion and in anticipation of its forthcoming new fourth runway, together with corresponding increases in demand for flight frequency. Factors contributing to the choice are JAL’s need to minimize the number of aircraft types in the fleet and overall business efficiency.

Currently JAL operates 65 single aisle small aircraft of this capacity, including 23 B737-400s, 18 MD-81s, 8 MD-87s and 16 MD-90s (as of February 1, 2005). JAL plans to introduce its first 737Next-Generation series in 2006.

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