Total Order Doubled, Plus One... And With More To Come?

Boeing and Japan Airlines (JAL) announced Monday the airline is increasing the number of 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters it has on order from three to eight, with an additional four options.

JAL first ordered the 747-400 BCF in October 2004, signing up for three firm modifications and four options. With the latest announcement, those four options became firm orders --  and JAL also added one more firm order and four more options.

The value of the order agreement will not be released, Boeing representatives told Aero-News.

The first JAL 747-400 BCF entered modification at Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. (TAECO) in Xiamen, China, in December 2005. It will be delivered back to the airline in May.

"Japan Airlines has already demonstrated its commitment to Boeing’s 747-400 conversion program, and this additional order is an affirmation of the many benefits this airplane offers," said Dan da Silva, vice president of sales and marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "We are thrilled to see such a valuable customer -- a respected, trend-setting industry player -- recognizing the additional value they can gain by adding to an already significant order."

As of June 2005, JAL serves some 206 airports in 34 countries with approximately 270 airplanes, including Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 models. JAL ordered 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, four 767-300 Freighters and 30 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes last year.

Boeing Commercial Aviation Services offers customers reliable conversion-based engineering and certification expertise. Customers may choose and incorporate support packages during freighter conversions, including avionics and flight-deck upgrades, customized maintenance programs and integration of technical manuals.

Monday's agreement brings the total number of 747-400 BCF orders to 37, with 29 options since the program’s launch in January 2004.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.jal.com