TOKYO, April 26, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- ANA Orders 50 Boeing 7E7 Dreamliners -- Order Triggers Formal Program Launch-- -- 50 New Airplanes to Join Fleet Starting in 2008 --
ANA (All Nippon Airways) today became the launch customer for the Boeing 7E7, when its Board of Directors approved the purchase of 50 of the new aircraft type, with deliveries to begin in 2008.
ANA will announce its engine choice for the 7E7 at a later date. It will select from the General Electric GENX, and the Trent 1000 engine from Rolls Royce. Both will be capable of providing 55,000-70,000 lb. of thrust. ANA also will determine the most suitable method of finance by the time of delivery of the aircraft.
ANA President and CEO Yoji Ohashi said, "ANA's selection of the Boeing 7E7 is consistent with our stated goal to operate the safest, most modern, efficient and comfortable fleet of aircraft in the world. With today's order we have taken a major step toward achieving another goal, of reducing the number of aircraft types we operate to just three.
"The 7E7 meets ANA's requirements in safety, reliability, comfort and economics, and supports the plans to grow and strengthen our route network, with the expansion of domestic flights from Tokyo Haneda Airport and the growth of regional service within Asia, particularly to China," Mr. Ohashi said, adding that ANA will benefit to the amount of Y10 billion (over US$90 million) per year thanks to the greater operating efficiencies and capacity of the lighter, more fuel efficient 7E7.
Today's 7E7 order will lead to the eventual replacement of ANA's fleet of 61 medium-sized aircraft 52 Boeing 767-300s, 2 Boeing 767-200s, and 7 Airbus A321s -- with 50 Boeing 7E7-3 (short haul) and 7E7-8 (long haul) models. The exact delivery schedule and mix is to be determined this summer.
The 7E7-8 model will seat approximately 230 passengers in two classes, and will have sufficient range to operate non-stop from Japan to the West Coast of the U.S. with a full load of passengers and cargo. The 7E7-3 will seat approximately 300 passengers and be used on ANA's route network within Japan, where it serves 46 cities, and on regional routes in Asia. ANA currently operates a fleet of 182 mainly Boeing and Airbus aircraft. In June 2003, ANA ordered 45 Boeing 737-700 aircraft for delivery in 2005-2012 as replacements for its narrow body fleet of 55 Airbus A320s and Boeing 737-400s and 500s. ANA has 8 Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on order for delivery in 2004-2008, and 22 Boeing 777-200s, 300s and 300ERs for delivery in 2004-2008.
The 7E7 was evaluated by ANA's New Aircraft Selection Committee on the basis that the successor to the 767-300 must be:
1. capable of carrying 300 passengers in a domestic configuration
2. suitable for use on both domestic and international routes, and achieve reliability, economic performance and comfort levels above the 767-300
3. in service by the start of expanded operations at Tokyo Haneda Airport
After selection, the 7E7 was highly appraised for its innovative design using composite materials to lower the weight of the aircraft and reduce maintenance costs, while at the same time increasing fuel efficiency by 20% on long-haul routes. Levels of passenger comfort not possible on current aircraft of a similar type are achieved by a wider airframe than its 767 predecessor, which also permits 60% more cargo to be loaded.
New technologies have led to the development of environmental systems affording a quieter cabin with fine control over humidity and air pressure levels, and engines which will be better for the environment, with lower CO2 and other emissions.
Comparison of 7E7-3/ -8 and 767-300
7E7-8 7E7-3 767-300
Length 55.5m 55m
Height 16.5m 15.9m
Width* 58.8m 51.6m 47.6m
Cross Section approx 5.75m 4.5m
Max take off approx 216,500kg approx 163,500kg Approx 156,500kg
weight
No of Seats approx 230 (2 classes) approx 300 (1 class) 288(1class)
Cargo capacity approx 16 tons 10 tons
Engine N/A GE CF6-80C2
Cruising speed M0.85 M0.80
Range** 11,000 km 2,200km 7,400km
(US West Cost) (Shanghai) (Honolulu)
Max Cruising Alt 13,000m
*measured at shoulder height (1.3 m) from the cabin floor **with full load (full Passengers + full Cargo)
ANA came into existence in 1952, and over 50 years later is now one of the 10 largest airlines in the world, carrying with its sister companies almost 51 million passengers every year to 45 destinations in Japan, and to 20 overseas cities in Asia, Europe and the United States. As a member of Star Alliance, the world's foremost airline alliance, ANA passengers enjoy seamless access to a network of over 700 airport destinations in 128 countries, and reciprocal benefits such as mileage accrual and redemption, and lounge access.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange