Airbus wins big jet orders from Japan Airlines

Airbus clinched orders for 65 jets from two of Boeing’s key Asian customers, in a win for the European planemaker as its US rival grapples with safety issues after a mid-flight panel blowout on a 737 MAX 9 jet.

Japan Airlines (JAL) said it would buy 21 widebody A350-900 and 11 A321neo narrowbody jets from Airbus, which will provide smaller single-aisle jets to the longtime Boeing customer for the first time.

The order from Japan’s second-largest airline allows Airbus to grow its foothold on its rival’s turf following a breakthrough first order of A350 widebody, or twin-aisle, jets used on longer international routes just over a decade ago.

JAL also said it would buy 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets.

South Korea’s largest carrier, Korean Air, also said it would order 33 A350s in a $13.7 billion deal - its first purchase of that aircraft family as it prepares for a merger with Asiana Airlines.

Boeing and Airbus do not publish current list prices for aircraft.

Airbus has been steadily growing single-aisle market share with its A321neo in the wake of multiple crises involving the Boeing 737 MAX, including two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Following the Jan. 5 panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight, Boeing is facing probes into the company’s safety and quality standards, and its production has been curbed by regulators.

The limited Boeing orders were not a direct result of the planemaker’s troubles, a source familiar with JAL’s order said.