If ANA opts for A380 super jumbos, decision may be game changer for Airbus in Japan

Tokyo:  Japan's second-largest carrier, All Nippon Airways (ANA), is mulling purchase of at least five Airbus 380 super jumbos. If it should opt for the deal, ANA will become the first Japanese carrier to fly the Airbus aircraft, a Nikkei business daily news report said Friday.

ANA may be in the final stages of the deal, according to the report, which is part of the airline's efforts to control fuel related costs. If it comes through the deal will likely be finalised in September. At list prices, the five super jumbos should cost the carrier around 100 billion yen ($937 million).

Soaring costs of fuel apart, other guiding reasons for the deal may well be continued delays on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, of which ANA is the launch customer.

ANA's likely switch to an Airbus offering may be very good news for Airbus, which, historically, has struggled to strike sales in the Japanese market. The market is dominated by Boeing and Airbus holds less than five per cent market share. .

ANA officials have confirmed they are mulling such a purchase though they refused to set a deadline for a decision.

The double-deck A380, which can seat an average of 560 passenger, possibly more, will likely enter service with ANA only in 2012 or later, if options are exercised in its favour.

According to airline officials, by using the A380, which offers more than double the seat occupancy, the company will be able to save about 7 billion yen a year in fuel costs on its Tokyo-New York route alone.