ANA, Boeing Enter $3.15-Billion Deal

Japan’s largest airline announced today a $3.15-billion deal to purchase 20 Boeing 747-400 airliners, the largest purchase yet of Boeing’s newest model.

The purchase by All Nippon Airways, including spare parts and General Electric engines for the airliners, amounts to 5.7% of last year’s U.S. trade deficit with Japan, Boeing and ANA officials said in a joint statement.

The Japanese airline now has 78 Boeing 747s, 767s, 737s and 727s flying its domestic or international routes.

Sigeya Goto, ANA executive vice president, said the airline operates 747s on both domestic and international routes. He said the new airliners are needed because of plans to increase the number of international flights.

He said the airline selected the Boeing 747-400 because the airliners have a computer-controlled cockpit system that increases safety and reduces the workload of the pilots and an improved fuel system and advanced aerodynamic design that allow it to fly 1,000 miles farther than the current 747s.

The order represents a continuation of skyrocketing orders received by Seattle-based Boeing Co., the world’s largest commercial aircraft manufacturer, over the last year as airlines have rushed to order new, quieter jets to comply with stricter noise requirements and replace aging craft while they still have some value.

In 1988, Boeing received orders for more than 600 planes worth more than $30 billion, making it the fourth straight year of record contracts.