All Nippon Airways is considering buying 5 Airbus A380 superjumbos for a total value of 100 billion Yen (almost one billion USD's), it will be the first Japanese airline to introduce the type which made its maiden flight in 2005. The airline is planning to add the A380 on long haul intercontinental routes and reduce fuel consumption, in today's market where the price of the barrel is soaring high, by reducing the number of flights daily while hauling no fewer passengers. The A380's, the decision to order them is expected to be taken in September, would also be added as an interim measure to compensate the gap left empty with the delays at Boeing in getting the 787 Dreamliner ready for delivery. ANA is also looking at the US built rival, the new 747-8, but the A380 seems to be the first choice.
ANA's relationship with European aircraft maker Airbus (EADS) goes back to the early 1990's when the first A320 was introduced on domestic routes within Japan.
