Published May 2004

All Nippon Airways first
to order Boeing’s new 7E7

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Editor

All Nippon Airways’ “launch” order for Boeing’s Everett-built 7E7 “Dreamliners” made news around the world in late April when the airline announced it would order 50 of the newly designed planes at an estimated cost of $6 billion, at list prices.

It was the largest order ever placed for a new Boeing airliner by a single customer, enabling Boeing’s board of directors to commit to building the new plane first revealed in December as the company’s first new commercial aircraft since the 777 model was launched more than a decade ago, according to the Associated Press.

In Everett, Mayor Ray Stephanson said, “It’s great news for the city ... and our Boeing workers,” adding that he sees the 7E7 project as a “big step in recovery” for the local economy and an endorsement for Boeing of the value of the new aircraft to world airlines.

The 7E7 is expected to help Boeing compete with Europe’s growing rival Airbus, which pulled ahead of Boeing’s sales last year to become the world’s largest supplier of commercial airliners.

The plane’s operating efficiencies, high-tech features and long-range should make it a strong contender for a large share of the rebounding global air transport marketplace, say aviation industry observers. Models of the plane will fly as far as 8,300 nautical miles, yet be 20 percent less costly to operate, saving All Nippon Airways more than $90 million a year, ANA’s President and CEO Yoji Ohashi said.

Production of the 7E7 is set to begin in 2006, with the first flight planned for 2007 and the first deliveries for 2008, according to Boeing officials. The airline also has ordered eight more 767s and 22 777 aircraft for delivery between 2004 and 2008.

In Europe, the Agence France Presse reported that Boeing expects about a dozen potential clients to join the roster of buyers soon.

Boeing Commercial Airlines President and CEO Alan Mulally said, “Airline interest in the 7E7 has been extraordinary ... (the order) validates our view of the market. ...We expect additional orders in the coming weeks and months.”

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