Japan Airlines is in negotiations to acquire two dozen wide-body aircraft, and Boeing could be the beneficiary of a multi-million dollar 787 Dreamliner order according to Reuters.
The airline is the latest Asian carrier to enter the tight widebody market following a drop in demand for large jets in the sector. Japan Airlines will soon review its medium-term plans, Boeing and Airbus did not comment on the order.
This order could be to replace its fleet of 27 Boeing 767-300ERs operating domestic and international routes. Currently, Japan Airlines has a fleet of 45 Dreamliners; a 787 order will keep the fleet unified.
Other airlines in the region are also preparing to purchase new widebody aircraft, Korean Air plans to buy 20 Airbus A350s as reported by Bloomberg News, as it prepares for a merger with Asiana Airlines.
Demand for widebody aircraft is increasing as international travel is in full pandemic recovery and competition for engine and maintenance contracts has intensified.
In February, Thai Airways at the Singapore AirShow announced an order for 45 GE-engined Boeing 787s with purchase options for more Dreamliners and Boeing 777Xs, Airbus lost the order battle following problems with supplies of its Rolls Royce-powered A350s.
