TOKYO-22 May 1998 All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) Japan's largest passenger carrier, announced the successful debut of its Airbus A321, specially painted with scenes from Japan, with its inaugural flight which departed on 11 April on the Haneda~Tottori route.

The A321 aircraft is a stretched version of the A320 aircraft, with its length from the main wings to the front 4.3 m longer and to the rear 2.7 m longer, making a total length of 44.5 m. The cockpit, main wings and tail were made almost to resemble the A320.

For its engines, an International Aero Engines (IAE) V2530-A5 model which is proven exceptionally for its low fuel consumption and reduced noise, has been selected. This model has been developed under a joint project by Japan, U.K., U.S. and Germany.

The A321 is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic devices designed to enhance operation safety. The new weather radar detects wind shear from miles away, whereas the former device detected only a few seconds away. Also, the EGPWS (Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System) sounds an alert towards an obstacle horizontally to the aircraft.

The cabin, seating a total of 191 (including 8 superseat), is the first one-aisle aircraft equipped with a "sky vision" for enjoying the ANA SKY VISION VIDEO PROGRAM, in addition to its current ANA SKY AUDITORIUM PROGRAM. The "sky vision" monitor is a retractable liquid crystal screen which is attached to the overhead units. There are approximately 1 monitor for each 3 rows.

ANA plans to introduce seven A321 aircraft by the end of 2000. The first two A321 introduced has been painted specially in commemoration of ANA's 45th anniversary of foundation on 1 December 1997.

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