From Yomiuri Shimbun, March 16, 2012
Government of Japan has started a study to retire a couple of Boeing 747-400s by fiscal 2018 (ending March 31, 2019). These jumbo jets were procured in 1991 as government official aircraft of Japan.
Major airlines in Japan already retired a big fleet of 747s and maintenance of the government aircraft is getting difficult these days. A plan to introduce the latest medium-size jetliner Boeing 787 is seemingly most probable.
787 is being supported as it can get sustainable maintenance in Japan while the aircraft can fly as long as 15,000Km range. Another charming point of 787 is that about 35% of its parts and components are made in Japan as considered as semi-domestic product. Expected price of official 787 would be JPY20 billion and two aircraft would be procured.
Current fleet of official 747s are stationed in Chitose Air Base and operated by special squadron of Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. Crew and maintenance personnel were trained by Japan Airlines. However, JAL as well as ANA, once big operators of 747s, have already retired the fleet. Now only NCA, a freight operator, flies 747 and the company is also a launch customer of 747-8F.
In parallel to long-haul government aircraft, there is a call for introducing smaller aircraft for easy access and handling especially to purchase MRJ by Mitsubishi Aircraft to boost the sales of the Japan-made passenger aircraft.
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