Member Article

More wings jobs likely as Airbus clinches £6bn deal with JAL

Airbus has announced that Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a £6bn agreement to buy 31 of the company’s wide-bodied A350 XWBs, plus options for a further 25 aircraft.

The contract is likely to lead to new jobs at the Airbus wing-making plant at Broughton, near Chester, where the firm currently employs 6,300 staff.

JAL and Airbus aim for entry into service from 2019, with the airline’s A350 XWBs gradually replacing its ageing fleet approximately over a six year period.

Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines said: “We will utilize the A350 XWB to maximum, which offers high level of operational efficiency and product competitiveness, while positively catering to new business opportunities after slots at airports in Tokyo are increased.

“In addition to improving profitability with advanced aircraft, we always aim to deliver unparalleled services to customers with the latest cabin and steady expansion of our route network.”

Fabrice Bregier, President and CEO of Airbus, said: “Japan Airlines is well known as one of the most preferred airlines in the world providing its passengers with an excellent flight experience. We sincerely welcome Japan Airlines as a new Airbus customer and feel honored by this first ever order from Japan for our all-new A350 XWB.”

“It fills us with pride to see a leading Japanese airline start a new chapter with us. This highlights a very bright and flourishing future for both of us, JAL and Airbus.”

The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 XWB Family, seating 350 passengers; all models are equipped with the new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Airbus and JAL expect the planes will enter commercial service for the second half of 2014. With this latest commitment, Airbus has recorded more than 750 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 38 customers worldwide.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .