Japan Changes VIP Contractors

摘要

All Nippon Airways (ANA) will replace Japan Airlines in procuring and maintaining government VIP aircraft. ANA will acquire two Boeing 777-300ERs that will go into service in Fiscal Year 2019 in the VIP transport role, replacing the pair of Boeing 747-47CS currently used. The deal is expected to be confirmed soon. As is currently the case with the 747s, crews from the Japan Air Self Defense Force's Tiknbeth Koku Yusodai/701st Hikotai (Special Airlift Group, 701st Squadron) will operate the 777s and one will be kept on permanent standby at Chitose AB.