All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) are negotiating compensation deals with Boeing that are expected to see them leasing new-build 767-300ERs to fill capacity shortfalls caused by 787 delays.
Industry sources say early compensation negotiations have begun and the airframer has offered to build new 767s and lease them to the two carriers. This was first floated as a possibility to some 787 customers earlier this year (Flight International, 15-21 April) and the sources say the Japanese carriers expressed serious interest.
The sources say ANA earlier this month put in a request to take 15 767-300ERs on lease, with tentative lease terms to be determined. ANA wants the right to give the aircraft back at any time.
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ANA has also asked if Boeing will supply 777s on the same arrangements, although no specific numbers were mentioned in its request.
JAL is believed to have put in a request to Boeing for a similar number of 767s on lease. The two airlines expect to hear back from the airframer next month.
Both are major 787 customers and ANA is to be the launch operator. The carrier was originally due to take delivery of its first 787 this month but this is now expected in the third quarter of 2009.
Boeing has declined to comment on specific 787 compensation negotiations with customers.
ANA will also not comment on 767 leases, saying only that one option is to keep existing 767s longer than originally planned.
JAL, which like ANA ordered the 787 primarily as a 767 replacement, says options to help it cope with the 787 delays may include "postponing our planned retirement of older versions of the 767 andleasing alternative aircraft".
ANA has more than 60 passenger 767s and JAL has more than 40 of the type. Both also have additional 767-300ERs still on order.
Source: Flight International
