Japan Airlines turn Boeing 747-400 BCF options to firm orders

Japan Airlines adds to its Boeing freighter
aircraft fleet

BY A CORRESPONDENT
10th January 2006

Boeing Company today announced that Japan Airlines International (JAL) has converted some of its aircraft order options to firm orders and placed options for some more. The Tokyo-based Japan Airlines is increasing the number of 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters BCF 747-400 it has on order to eight, with four more options. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

In October 2004, Japan Airlines had ordered the 747-400 BCF, including three firm modifications and four options. Today, the four options were confirmed. Besides, one more firm order was added, wth four more options. Last month, the first JAL 747-400 BCF entered modification at Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Co in Xiamen, China. It will be delivered to Japan Airlines this May. With today's agreement, the number of 747-400 BCF orders by Japan Airlines stands at 37, with 29 options.

As of June, 2005, JAL serves some 206 airports in 34 countries with approximately 270 airplanes, including Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 models. JAL ordered 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, four 767-300 Freighters and 30 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes last year.

Boeing said in a statement: ”Japan Airlines has already demonstrated its commitment to Boeing’s 747-400 conversion program, and this additional order is an affirmation of the many benefits this airplane offers. We are thrilled to see such a valuable customer - a respected, trend-setting industry player -- recognizing the additional value they can gain by adding to an already significant order.”

Boeing offers a complete line-up of commercial freighter airplanes, including the recently launched 747-8 Freighter, the 747-400 factory-built freighter, the 777 Freighter, the 767 Freighter and the 737-700C convertible freighter. The 747 freighter family provides more than half of the world’s dedicated freighter capacity, and Boeing freighters, in all, provide more than 90 percent of global freighter capacity.

Conversion-based engineering and certification expertise are offered by
Boeing Commercial Aviation Service. Clients can choose and incorporate support packages during freighter conversions, including avionics and flight-deck upgrades, customized maintenance programs and integration of technical manuals.