TOKYO (Reuters) - The head of Airbus said on Monday the jet orders clinched with Japan Airlines Co Ltd (9201.T) would help spur future ties with Japanese aerospace firms, as the planemaker aims to edge deeper into a market dominated by rival Boeing Co (BA.N).
Breaking open the last major aviation market dominated by Boeing, Airbus on Monday announced its first jet order from JAL, including for 31 wide-body A350 jets with a combined $9.5 billion list price.
"With this order, it gives us more momentum to look for potential joint R&D (research and development) efforts for the future generation of aircraft," Airbus Chief Executive Fabrice Bregier told a joint news conference in Tokyo with JAL President Yoshiharu Ueki.
U.S. planemaker Boeing has long seen off attempts by Airbus to secure an order with JAL, benefiting from links with Japanese suppliers and deep political ties between Tokyo and Washington.