In a £5.9 billion first, Japan Airlines has struck a deal with aircraft manufacturers Airbus for 31 A350 planes. The deal will be a blow for Japanese aviation’s market leader Boeing.

The A350 is part of the new generation of more fuel-efficient aircraft and is a competitor to Boeing’s Dreamliner, which has faced technical problems in recent months. The order is the largest Airbus has ever received from Japan and looks set to strengthen the company's foothold in the region.