Government Likely to Pick Boeing 777 as the Next Official Aircraft, Weighing Japan-US Alliance More
Monday April 21,2014 from Sankei Shimbun
Sankei Shimbun reported that the government of Japan is the final stage of procedures to introduce Boeing 777 as the replacement of Boeing 747 fleet for the next government official aircraft. The new aircraft will be delivered in fiscal 2019. Tokyo intends to show its commitment for stronger alliance with Washington by rejecting other choices including larger aircraft by Airbus.
Since last year, relevant government branches including the Cabinet Secretariat, Defense Ministry and Air Self Defence Force were studying the selection and reached to a final selection based on flight range, fuel efficiency, safety and overall flight records. The report says it will be coming summer when the Tokyo government will announce the introduction formally.
Boeing’s other aircraft, 787, was not selected as the aircraft cannot provide with needed space for PM’s working office and the attendants. Airbus A350 will be able to fly nonstop to the eastern coast of US but 777 was selected as made in US product as a symbol of Japan-US alliance.
The report does not tell how many aircraft will be introduced but the government has appropriated a budget of JPY 135.5 billion (about USD 1.3 billion) as expenses for introduction of the next government aircraft for fiscal 2014 budget.■
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