Boeing Hopes JAL Order Builds Yearend Momentum By Lori Ranson 12/23/2004 08:46:39 AM Boeing strengthened its already deep ties in Japan yesterday with Japan Airlines (JAL) declaring plans to order 30 Boeing 7E7s, giving the airframer a boost as the industry waits to see if additional orders surface before the yearend. The airframer said it has proposals for 200 aircraft with "money down," a Boeing spokeswoman said. Of those, 56 have transitioned into firm orders. Primaris, Blue Panorama, First Choice and now JAL have committed to firming up orders for 112 planes. "We're still working hard to bring in a few more proposals" by the end of December, Boeing's spokeswoman said. JAL, the second Japanese carrier to order the aircraft, took options for an additional 20 planes. All Nippon Airways launched Boeing's first new aircraft program since the 777 earlier this year with a 50-aircraft order. The 7E7 brand is now entrenched both with Japanese carriers and suppliers. Mistubishi Heavy Industries is designing and building the combustor and other core parts for the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 powering the plane. ANA selected Rolls-Royce as its powerplant provider. Mitsubishi and two other Japanese "heavies," Kawasaki and Fuji, are building about 35% of the airplane's structure. JAL plans to use its 30 7E7s as part of its fleet renewal plan to replace 36 Boeing 767s and 22 Airbus A300-600s. The airline wants to add a mix of long-range 7E7-8s and short-range 7E7-9s to its fleet, starting in 2008, for use on domestic and international routes. Following its merger with Japan Air System, JAL now has 14 fleet types and plans to cut that to 11 by fiscal 2006. "As a 7E7 launch customer, JAL will participate in the future development of the aircraft," the carrier said. Boeing's announcement comes one day after Airbus announced a memorandum of understanding from Air Europa for 10 A350s, Airbus's 7E7 competitor. Airbus didn't bid for the All Nippon Airways order (DAILY, April 27), but Boeing's spokeswoman said the A350 was a contender in the contest to replace JAL's medium-sized airplanes. Roger EWROPS