Boeing

All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced today that it has selected The Boeing Company to convert two ANA 747-400 airplanes from its international configuration to its domestic configuration. Boeing Airplane Services will perform the conversion work for both airplanes at its Wichita Modification Center in Wichita, Kan.

Boeing will convert the airplanes from a three-class, 367-seat configuration to a two-class, 569-seat layout. The reconfiguration primarily involves removing the winglets and installing wingtips, as well as modifying the cabin interior with new passenger and attendant seats, in-flight entertainment systems, galleys, lavatories, floor coverings, closets and stowage units. With a new interior layout and modified wing structure, ANA's 747-400s will be ready for high-cycle, increased density, domestic routes in Japan.

Bob Avery, president of Boeing Airplane Services, said Boeing was chosen to do the work because of its ability to provide a full range of total service solutions for the world's passenger and cargo airlines.

"With our knowledge of the airplane and our experienced Wichita team, we know that we will provide ANA with the highest quality airplanes for its domestic 747-400 routes," Avery said.

In addition to the modification work, Boeing will perform maintenance on the 747-400s, including heavy maintenance, structural sampling inspection, ANA engineering orders, and the incorporation of selected service bulletins.

The first airplane is expected to be delivered to Wichita for modification in September and be re-delivered in December 2001. The second airplane should arrive in Wichita in January and be re-delivered to ANA in April 2002.

In total, All Nippon Airways currently operates 111 Boeing jetliners, including 37 747s, 21 777s and 53 767s. Earlier this year, ANA ordered an additional nine 767s for delivery during the airline's fiscal year 2002.