Japan Airlines (JAL) has placed a firm order for two Boeing 747-400 Freighters and reworked an earlier deal for five Boeing 777-200s to switch to three larger -300s.
JAL says the 777-300s will replace its three 563-seat 747-100SRs used on domestic routes. It intended to replace them with 777-200s between fiscal years 2004 and 2007, but will now replace them in the fiscal year 2003, with larger -300s. JAL is maintaining orders for two 777-200s from the earlier deal.
The five 777-200/300s will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000-series engines, despite JAL having last year switched to the General Electric GE90-94B for its order for 11 777-200ERs.
The two 747-400Fs will be delivered in the fiscal year 2004 and will have GE CF6-80C2B1F engines. JAL has a freighter fleet of 10 747-200Fs.
JAL says it intends to replace its 747-200Fs with -400Fs, "starting with" the order for two, suggesting more commitments are likely.
In November, a 777-200 will be the first aircraft to sport the new colour scheme that JAL is adopting following its takeover of domestic carrier Japan Air System.Source: Flight International
