All Nippon Airways Expects First 787 Soon

Leading Japanese carrier,

(ANA) is hopeful this time round that Boeing will keep its promise and make the first 787 delivery to ANA as planned in August-September.

ANA CEO Shinichiro said, “There has been a history of delays by Boeing. The latest target window for first delivery is August-September. I am confident this will be achieved.”

Earlier, a top official of ANA was quoted as saying that the airline’s fleet contingency plans cannot cover delivery delays past Q1 2012.

The ANA has placed the order of a total of 50 787s with Boeing. The airline expects the delivery of 14 787s before the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2012, and is due to take delivery of another 10 in the following fiscal year.

Besides the 14 787s, the ANA will be receiving nine other aircrafts – four 767-300ERs, two 737-800s and three Bombardier Q400s – for the current fiscal year.

The ANA in a statement said that the post-earthquake traffic slump has leveled off and traffic is starting to improve. There is a comeback in outbound international traffic. However, the inbound tourism continues to remain stagnant.