Japan Airlines Orders 17 More Boeing 737-8s, and More

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Japan Airlines Commits to 17 Additional Boeing 737-8s in Major Fleet Renewal Push

Japan Airlines has announced its decision to acquire 17 additional Boeing 737-8 aircraft, expanding on its March 2023 order for 21 aircraft of the same model.

This significant fleet investment is aimed at replacing the airline's aging Boeing 737-800 aircraft currently operating on domestic routes as part of a comprehensive modernization strategy.

Key Points

• The combined order of 38 Boeing 737-8 aircraft is expected to start arriving in fiscal year 2026, subject to potential industry delays

• JAL will additionally introduce 11 Airbus A321neo aircraft to replace Boeing 767 aircraft, primarily on Haneda routes

• The airline's international expansion includes plans for 10 Boeing 787-9 and 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft

• JAL's subsidiary ZIPAIR will receive Boeing 787-9 aircraft reassigned from the parent company

• By fiscal year 2030, JAL projects its international business to grow approximately 1.5 times compared to 2023 levels

• Growth will focus on North American and Asian routes, which are expected to see significant future demand

• The JAL Group will have approximately 90 new aircraft in its fleet through this renewal initiative

What It Means

This strategic fleet diversification positions JAL to capitalize on recent tourism growth and positions the airline for significant growth in North American and Asian markets.

Other Key Aviation Industry Updates for Today 👇

2. Tariff Concerns Shadow Boeing's Financial Recovery

Boeing CFO Brian West expressed concerns about tariffs potentially limiting parts availability from suppliers, though the company has sufficient inventory for now.

Boeing expects a $150 million hit to Q1 profit but anticipates cash flow improvement of "hundreds of millions" of dollars.

Despite tariff concerns, demand remains strong with a 5,000+ plane backlog.

Production of 737 and 787 Dreamliner is stabilizing, with plans to increase monthly output this year.

3. XTI Aerospace Advances TriFan 600 Certification Process with FAA Approval

The FAA accepted XTI Aerospace's Type Certification application for the TriFan 600, marking a key Q1 milestone.

This follows XTI's December 2024 General Familiarization presentation to over 60 FAA officials.

The TriFan 600 is a vertical lift crossover airplane combining helicopter-like takeoff capabilities with fixed-wing efficiency, designed for regional transport and corporate travel.

XTI has been collaborating with the FAA's Innovation Office on powered-lift certification requirements and will soon launch "Sparrow," a 1:15 scale working model.

4. Electra's Ultra Short Aircraft EL9 Receives Pre-Orders for 2,200 Aircraft

Electra announced today it has secured 2,200 pre-orders for its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft, valued at nearly $9 billion.

The nine-passenger aircraft can take off and land in just 150 feet, enabling operations from spaces previously limited to helicopters but at 70% lower cost.

The EL9 offers 3,000 pounds of payload capacity and up to 1,100 nautical miles of range.

With customers across 50+ operators globally, Electra plans first test flights in 2027 with service entry expected in 2029.

5. 74 Airports to Receive Advanced Runway Monitoring System

The FAA announced today it will deploy the Runway Incursion Device (RID) at 74 airports by the end of 2026 to enhance runway safety.

The RID serves as a memory aid for controllers, indicating when runways are occupied or closed.

Currently operational at four locations including Centennial, Austin-Bergstrom, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown, and Portland International airports, with three more installations coming next month.

This technology is part of a broader safety portfolio that includes the Surface Awareness Initiative and Approach Runway Verification systems to reduce runway incursions.

6. Air India Express To Launch A321neo Service While Adding 20 New Routes

Air India Express will debut its A321neo aircraft on April 15, 2025, on domestic Indian routes.

The airline is expanding its domestic network with approximately 20 new routes launching from late March.

Following its October 2024 merger with AIX Connect, the carrier now operates 102 aircraft and will hold a 12.3% domestic market share by late April, offering about 668,000 weekly seats across its network.

7. Malaysia Approves New MH370 Search Decade After Disappearance

Malaysia's Cabinet has approved an agreement with Ocean Infinity to resume searching for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014 with 239 people aboard.

The search will cover 15,000 square kilometers in the southern Indian Ocean under a "no find, no fee" arrangement. Ocean Infinity will receive $70 million only if the wreckage is found.

A search vessel was deployed last month despite the agreement not being finalized until today.

This follows previous unsuccessful search attempts, including Ocean Infinity's 2018 effort.

8. Precision Aerospace Extends Reach with Clearwater Engineering Purchase

Dallas-based Precision Aerospace Holdings has acquired Kansas-based Clearwater Engineering, marking its fifth acquisition since 2022 and first outside Texas.

Clearwater provides precision machining and CNC milling services for aerospace sectors from its Derby facilities.

The deal adds 40 employees to Precision's workforce, now totaling approximately 140 across five AS9100 and ITAR-certified locations.

Clearwater's leadership team will remain in place as Precision leases their two climate-controlled facilities with expansion potential for an additional 100,000 square feet.

9. Collins Launches All-in-One 4K Entertainment System for Business Jets

Collins Aerospace announced today it's preparing first shipments of its integrated Airshow HD entertainment system with Venue smart monitors for business aviation.

This standalone solution provides 4K entertainment and interactive maps without requiring a full cabin management system upgrade.

The system includes a mobile app for iOS and Android that lets passengers control features through smartphones or cast content to cabin monitors.

Available for various aircraft sizes from light jets to heavy aircraft, it offers touchscreen capabilities and seamless integration with connectivity systems.

10. Garmin Earns Recognition from Cirrus Aircraft

Garmin received the Supplier of the Year award from Cirrus Aircraft at their PX25 Supplier Conference held February 26 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

This recognition celebrates over 20 years of collaboration, with Garmin providing avionics for all Cirrus aircraft since the SR20's introduction in 1999.

Their partnership has produced innovations like the Perspective Touch+ flight deck for SF and SR platforms and the Safe Return system on the Vision Jet, which in 2020 became the first jet certified with Garmin Emergency Autoland technology.