All Nippon Airways (ANA) expects to take delivery of its new Boeing aircraft later than initially forecast, as it works to “enable further capacity growth” in the near-term.
The disclosure, made 3 February, is the first time the airline has publicly confirmed delivery delays amid production issues at Boeing. ANA’s Boeing orderbook includes 20 737 Max 8s,18 777-9s and a pair of 777-8 freighters.
In presentation slides accompanying its nine-month financial results, the Japanese operator says that it had projected 11 new Boeing aircraft to be delivered in the 2025 financial year, which begins 1 April.
However, this has now slipped by at least a year, according to ANA, which has “projected some delivery delays”. It did not indicate how many, or which aircraft type, are affected by the delays. The airline’s ANA says it is “continuously working with manufacturers” on the delays.
ANA had on several occasions in the past indicated it would be taking the new aircraft in the 2025 financial year, even as Boeing was hit by a string of production woes in the past year.
The Star Alliance operator has also been impacted by a double-whammy of engine issues - the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G powering its Airbus A320neo narrowbody family, as well as the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s on its 787s.
ANA says with the PW1100G engines, it expects the situation to improve in the 2025 financial year, with 11 aircraft will be grounded for inspections, an improvement from the current 13.
However, it is facing “operational limitations” with the Trent-powered 787s, as “tight parts supply” is impacting availability for aircraft.
The airline’s parent ANA Holdings had previously said it would look to lease spare aircraft to counter the supply chain issues.
Despite its ongoing challenges, the group remained profitable in its earnings for the quarter ended 31 December 2024, reporting an operating profit of Y62.7 billion ($404 million), down about 22% year on year.
The airline group, which also comprises low-cost unit Peach and medium-haul unit AirJapan, saw revenues hit a record high of Y603 billion, an increase of 11.5% year on year. This was outpaced by a 17.4% jump in expenses to Y540 billion, as it took on additional maintenance and manpower costs.
