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Boeing and British Airways have signed an order for 2 Boeing 777-300ER jetliners valued at $529 million at list prices.
Boeing also announced that GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has purchased two 777-300ERs, airplanes that were previously listed as an unidentified order on the Boeing Web site. The airplanes are two of four 777s that BA has agreed to lease from GECAS including two 777s ordered in 2007 as part of its recent commitment to the 777-300ER.
British Airways also secured options for four additional 777-300ERs directly with Boeing.

The two airplanes GECAS ordered are valued at $529 million at catalog prices and raise to 25 the number of 777s (Freighters and 777-300ERs) that GECAS has purchased since November 2006. The 25 airplanes have been placed on long-term lease with six different carriers, including British Airways.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing

The Boeing Company last week delivered Europe’s first two Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplanes to GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) and its leasing customer, Spanish carrier Futura International Airways, based in Palma de Mallorca.

Futura International Airways was created by Aer Lingus in 1989. It operates a fleet of 32 Boeing airplanes and transports more than 3 million passengers a year. Its long-haul services include Canada, Indonesia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Egypt and Gambia.

Boeing launched the 737-900ER program in July 2005. The 737-900ER, the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family, increases the capability of the 737 by carrying more passengers and flying farther. The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) certified the 737-900ER April 22.

The twin-engine jet incorporates a new pair of exit doors and a flat rear-pressure bulkhead that allow a maximum capacity of 220 passengers in a single-class layout.
Aerodynamic and structural design changes, including strengthened wings, a two-position tailskid, enhancements to the leading and trailing-edge flap systems, optional Blended Winglets and auxiliary fuel tanks, will allow the 737-900ER to accommodate higher takeoff weights and increase its range to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km). The 737-900ER has substantial economic advantages over heavier competing models including 6 percent lower operating costs per trip and 4 percent lower operating costs per seat mile.

As of March 31, nine customers have placed orders for 229 Next-Generation 737-900ERs, and more than 7,900 orders have been placed for 737s. Boeing has more than 2,100 unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing

On Dec. 13th GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) ordered 55 Boeing airplanes that includes 53 Next-Generation 737-800s and two Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) passenger jetliners.
The order, valued at approximately $4.5 billion at list prices, includes an exercise of existing options.
GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), the U.S. and Irish commercial aircraft financing and leasing businesses of GE, has a fleet of 1,450 owned aircraft it leases to more than 230 airlines in some 70 countries, and it manages nearly 300 aircraft for others.

Boeing announced that Chile’s LAN Airlines will receive 32 787 Dreamliners, marking the largest 787 acquisition to date for Latin America. The Santiago-based carrier has ordered 26 airplanes from Boeing, and will lease an additional six 787-9s from International Lease Finance Corp.
In addition to the Dreamliner order, Boeing said LAN also has committed to acquiring four 777 Freighters - two from Boeing and two to be leased from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS).

The order for 26 Dreamliners, consisting of a mix of 787-8s and 787-9s, is worth approximately $ 4.5 billion at published list prices. The two 777 Freighters are similarly valued at approximately $ 500 million. The two direct-purchase 777 Freighters were previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries Web site.
“This order reaffirms support for Boeing’s Dreamliner from the largest and one of the most profitable airlines in Latin America,” said John Wojick, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president, Sales, Latin America and the Caribbean. “With the 787, LAN will be able to provide its passengers with the very best in long-range air travel, including larger windows, higher cabin humidity, more space and a lower cabin altitude.
“In addition, LAN’s long-haul cargo operations will gain unmatched efficiency with the 777 Freighter, which offers more capacity and greater range than any other twin-engine freighter,” Wojick said.
Thus far, two other Latin American carriers have committed to the 787 Dreamliner: Aeromexico, with three leased, two purchased, and Colombia’s Avianca, which has ordered 10.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for entry into service in 2008. Thus far, 51 airlines have logged 736 orders, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.
The 777 Freighter is the sixth and newest member of the 777 family of airplanes and builds upon the family’s extensive use of advanced technologies. The 777 Freighter is based on the 777-200LR passenger model and is designed to facilitate easy interlining with the Boeing 747 freighter fleet. Eleven customers have ordered 82 777 Freighters, which are scheduled to enter service beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008.