On March 6, ANA moved its fleet rationalisation plan one stage further as it ordered four more 777-300ER wide-body aircraft for its intercontinental fleet and sold three 747-400s to Oasis Growth Income and Investments Limited of Hong Kong, for operation by Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Limited.

ANA currently operates eight 777-300ER aircraft primarily on intercontinental routes. This deal has a catalogue value of US$1 billion and brings ANA's total orders for the 777-300ER to seventeen.

"Back in 2003, we unveiled our plan to rationalise our fleet into three types of aircraft and at the same time our intention to fly the most modern, efficient and passenger pleasing aircraft available. This is evidenced by today's decision and our ground breaking launch order for the 787," said Tomohiro Hidema, Executive Vice President Purchasing, at ANA.

ANA's fleet also comprises 23 747-400s, which being used on both domestic and international routes. Together with the previously determined sale of six 747-400s to Avion Aircraft Trading of Iceland in July of last year, today's decision brings the total number of 747-400s sold to nine.

The three 747-400s will be retired as follows:

• Aircraft: JA404A (Reg. No.) - Introduced: 1999 - Retired: 2007
• Aircraft: JA405A (Reg. No.) - Introduced: 2000 - Retired: 2007
• Aircraft: JA403A (Reg. No.) - Introduced: 1999 - Retired: 2008