Newjetjockey
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ANA launches 7E7 program with order for 50
Dateline: Tuesday April 27, 2004
After several years of seeming indecision over its future direction, Boeing yesterday gave a strong vote of confidence to its Commercial Airplanes division as the board of directors approved the formal launch of the 7E7 on the strength of a firm order from All Nippon Airways for 50 aircraft.
It was the biggest single-airline launch order in the company's history, surpassing United Airlines' firm order for 34 777s that began that program 14 years ago. ANA's order comprises a mix of both short-haul 7E7-3s and long-haul dash 8s. Engine selection was not announced. The deal is worth about $6 billion at list prices and ANA is scheduled to begin taking deliveries in 2008.
"Obviously we are very excited about this order and what it means to the program," 7E7 Senior VP Mike Bair said during a conference call with reporters announcing the order and launch decision. "The midnight surprise," as he characterized it, news of which broke first in Tokyo, came "probably a little bit sooner than what we had anticipated."
According to Bair, the board's decision to approve launch was "unanimous." He also said Boeing has "active proposal discussions" going on with more than 25 carriers, including "a couple" in the US, adding, "I'm confident you'll see a number of these finalized before the end of the year." He declined to be more specific. In a statement, the company said it has extended "firm offers" to more than a dozen airlines.
As the launch customer, ANA will be an integral partner in developing the 7E7. The aircraft "eventually" will replace the carrier's fleet of 61 "medium-sized aircraft" comprising 54 767s and seven A321s.
ANA President and CEO Yoji Ohashi said, "With today's order we have taken a major step toward achieving [our] goal of reducing the number of aircraft types we operate to just three." He also said ANA will benefit by ¥10 billion ($92 million) per year owing "to the greater capacity and operating efficiencies of the lighter, more fuel-efficient 7E7."
Bair said Boeing has not made a decision whether to keep the 7E7 name or introduce a traditional number. "One of the things we are seeing is more brand equity in the 7E7 than we had anticipated, so it's an interesting conundrum for our marketing department."
Singapore Airlines and Emirates also have been touted as potential 7E7 launch customers, along with leasing companies GECAS and ILFC. In the Pacific, Air New Zealand and Qantas have expressed interest in the aircraft, while in Europe British Airways is considered a prime target, along with Lufthansa and Air France.--Geoffrey Thomas
Dateline: Tuesday April 27, 2004
After several years of seeming indecision over its future direction, Boeing yesterday gave a strong vote of confidence to its Commercial Airplanes division as the board of directors approved the formal launch of the 7E7 on the strength of a firm order from All Nippon Airways for 50 aircraft.
It was the biggest single-airline launch order in the company's history, surpassing United Airlines' firm order for 34 777s that began that program 14 years ago. ANA's order comprises a mix of both short-haul 7E7-3s and long-haul dash 8s. Engine selection was not announced. The deal is worth about $6 billion at list prices and ANA is scheduled to begin taking deliveries in 2008.
"Obviously we are very excited about this order and what it means to the program," 7E7 Senior VP Mike Bair said during a conference call with reporters announcing the order and launch decision. "The midnight surprise," as he characterized it, news of which broke first in Tokyo, came "probably a little bit sooner than what we had anticipated."
According to Bair, the board's decision to approve launch was "unanimous." He also said Boeing has "active proposal discussions" going on with more than 25 carriers, including "a couple" in the US, adding, "I'm confident you'll see a number of these finalized before the end of the year." He declined to be more specific. In a statement, the company said it has extended "firm offers" to more than a dozen airlines.
As the launch customer, ANA will be an integral partner in developing the 7E7. The aircraft "eventually" will replace the carrier's fleet of 61 "medium-sized aircraft" comprising 54 767s and seven A321s.
ANA President and CEO Yoji Ohashi said, "With today's order we have taken a major step toward achieving [our] goal of reducing the number of aircraft types we operate to just three." He also said ANA will benefit by ¥10 billion ($92 million) per year owing "to the greater capacity and operating efficiencies of the lighter, more fuel-efficient 7E7."
Bair said Boeing has not made a decision whether to keep the 7E7 name or introduce a traditional number. "One of the things we are seeing is more brand equity in the 7E7 than we had anticipated, so it's an interesting conundrum for our marketing department."
Singapore Airlines and Emirates also have been touted as potential 7E7 launch customers, along with leasing companies GECAS and ILFC. In the Pacific, Air New Zealand and Qantas have expressed interest in the aircraft, while in Europe British Airways is considered a prime target, along with Lufthansa and Air France.--Geoffrey Thomas
