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Will Horton, senior analyst at CAPA Centre for Aviation, thinks JAL likely got a good discount from Airbus, perhaps buying the planes at cost, or below. JAL has wanted an aircraft like the A350, which is smaller than Boeing's 747 jumbo jets but slightly bigger than the 787, Horton said. The new A350s are due to arrive in 2019. Ueki declined to give the specific flight routes where these jets will be used, but said they will basically take over the routes of retiring 777s. Boeing said Monday's deal did not hurt its relationship with JAL. "Although we are disappointed with the selection, we will continue to provide the most efficient and innovative products and services that meet longer-term fleet requirements for Japan Airlines," it said in a statement. "We have built a strong relationship with Japan Airlines over the last 50 years and we look to continue our partnership going forward." JAL is a special kind of carrier in Japan because of its close ties with the government. But Ueki said JAL did not consult the government or other parties in making its decision. JAL fell into bankruptcy three years ago. It emerged last year in one of the biggest IPOs in Japanese history following a government bailout and a wide-ranging restructuring. The carrier was long the symbol of Japan's economic rise. However, in recent decades, it was hobbled by a bloated workforce, unpopular routes and safety lapses.
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