ANA Orders 30 Airbus Aircraft

ANA Holdings has firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 A320neo Family aircraft (seven A320neo and 23 A321neo).

The aircraft will be part of ANA Holdings fleet development and modernisation strategy to replace its existing single-aisle fleet in the coming years.

Deliveries will start from 2016.

Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of ANA HD said, “The aircraft we have selected will enable us to modernize and expand our fleet further as we seek to become one of the world’s leading airline groups. These new aircraft will give us maximum flexibility and improved fuel efficiency and will allow us to meet the growth in demand, both internationally and in our domestic Japanese market.”

ANA’s A320neo Family will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines.

Japanese Aero Engines Corporation (JAEC) is a 23% collaboration partner in PW1100G-JM program. JAEC is responsible for development, manufacturing and engineering support of the fan, low-pressure compressor, combustor, and low-pressure shafts.

JAEC is a consortium, consisting of three Japanese companies: IHI (65%), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (25%), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (10%).

“I’m delighted to welcome ANA as the A320neo’s first Japanese customer, and see the growing relationship between our two companies”, said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President & CEO. “In addition to ANA taking full benefit from the A320neo’s efficiency and reliability, the deal also accelerates Airbus’s expansion in Japan - one of our main ambitions for the next decade.”

The assembly of Airbus’ first A320neo has been completed following painting of the aircraft and the mounting of PW1100G-JM engines. It will soon start ground tests to prepare for first flight.

The flight test campaign for the A320neo will kick-off in Q3 2014, paving the way for Entry Into Service in Q4 2015.