Boeing has made a significant announcement regarding new orders for its large aircraft. The company revealed on Monday that it has received orders for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This follows a period where French competitor Airbus had gained traction with these airlines after the January incident involving the Boeing 737 Max, indicating that Boeing is actively reclaiming its market share.
“We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet,” stated Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations.
This development coincided with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliner aircraft with options for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” resonates with a previous report from March noting that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the carrier chose a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This decision was made amidst ongoing challenges for the 737 Max, which was also experiencing a substantial production slowdown at that time.
In a similar vein, Bloomberg had reported earlier that Airbus secured wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer. This was perceived as a slight against the 777X, which is only now approaching regulatory approval.
“We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network,” commented Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division. “Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”