Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a purchase agreement for 31 Airbus A350s with an option for a further 25 aircraft, marking its first ever Airbus order.

The 31 aircraft includes 18 A350-900s and 13 of the larger -1000 variant.

Airbus says the target is for the A350s to enter JAL's fleet from 2019, and gradually replace the Japanese carrier's ageing fleet over a six-year period.

The A350s will be fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only powerplant currently available for the type. This is also Airbus's first sale of the A350 in Japan.

Japan Airlines A350s
Airbus

"We will utilise the A350 XWB to maximum, which offers high level of operational efficiency and product competitiveness, while positively catering to new business opportunities after slots at airports in Tokyo are increased," says JAL president Yoshiharu Ueki.

Flightglobal Pro data shows that JAL has a fleet of 117 Boeing aircraft, including 777s and 787s.

Source: FlightGlobal.com

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