FARNBOROUGH—All Nippon Airways (ANA) has confirmed an order for 20 Boeing 737-8s, plus 10 options, and substituted existing orders for two 777-9 passenger aircraft for two of the 777-8F cargo variant.
At a July 18 signing ceremony at the Farnborough Airshow, ANA Holdings chairman Shinya Katanozaka said the aircraft will lay a foundation for the airline’s future growth.
ANA originally committed to the 737-8 in 2019, but after the MAX was grounded in 2019 following two fatal crashes, the deal remained uncompleted until this week.
Katanozaka said he was confident that the MAX’s safety had been demonstrated, leading to the Farnborough announcement.
“We are confident, above all, that safety has been assured,” he said.
ANA originally ordered the 777-9s in 2014, but the Japanese carrier now wants to switch two passenger aircraft to freighters to capitalize on the resurgent cargo market.
Katanozaka noted how cargo demand has risen over the past 10 years and had been a “savior” for ANA during the pandemic.
“I believe we can expect high growth in cargo business in the post-COVID era as well,” he said.
ANA is Boeing’s first Japanese MAX customer and the first Asian carrier to select the 777-8F. The Japanese carrier has a fleet of more than 200 jet aircraft and a long history with Boeing.
“The 777-8 freighters will add flexibility and efficiency to our air cargo network. The 737 and 777 have long been a mainstay of the ANA fleet,” ANA Holdings president and CEO Koji Shibata said.
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