Lion Air buys US$3b Boeing jets
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
JAKARTA-BASED Lion Air has ordered an additional 40 737-900ER extended range airplanes worth some US$3 billion at list prices ($4.6 billion), American jet maker Boeing said.
The new order brings Lion Air's combined orders for the 737-900ER to 100, it said.
The order was recently included on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries website, attributed to an unidentified customer, said Boeing in a statement issued from France on Monday.
"We are thrilled that Lion Air has chosen the Next-Generation 737 to play a key role in its plans for growth and market leadership," Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Scott Carson said.
"Lion Air's selection of the 737 to support its strategic expansion and fleet modernisation validates the superior economics and value the 737s offers to airlines. It is the most efficient single-aisle airplane operating in today's market."
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.
"This is a great achievement for Lion Air as we are the world's largest operator of the 737-900ER," said Lion Air founder and President Director Rusdi Kirana.
"The 737 is the right plane to support our growing route structure throughout Southeast Asia."
Boeing launched the 737-900ER programme in July 2005 when Lion Air announced the initial order for 30 of the newest 737 model.
In July 2006, the airline announced an additional order for 30 737-900ERs.
Lion Air received the first 737-900ER in April when the Boeing airplane was delivered in a special dual paint scheme that combined the Lion Air lion on the vertical stabiliser and the Boeing livery colours on the fuselage.
The airline will receive a total of seven 737-900ERs in 2007.
The 737-900ER 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.
Boeing and GE Commercial Aviation Services (Gecas) also announced an order for six Boeing 777 Freighters worth approximately US$1.42 billion at list prices.
The announcement increases the number of 777s Gecas has ordered directly from Boeing to 39, which includes 14 777 Freighters.
To date, Gecas has taken delivery of 15 777s. The agreement allows Gecas the right to substitute other 777 passenger models, if necessary, in the future, Boeing said.
"We are very pleased to have finalised this order for six additional 777 aircraft," Gecas President and Chief Executive Henry Hubschman said. "The 777 has proven itself to be a strong performer in the passenger market, and we believe this will also apply in the cargo segment."
At the Paris air show, Boeing's top commercial airplanes executive yesterday dismissed a US$45 billion order blitz unveiled by rival Airbus as the air show awaited a potential US$8 billion order for the Boeing 787.
European planemaker Airbus hit the ground running at the start of the week-long Le Bourget air show with firm orders for 219 planes, including more than 114 of its revamped A350 model, which still remains far behind sales of the 787.
Boeing often accuses Airbus of storing up orders to gain publicity at air shows and of confusing the real picture by mixing up firm and provisional orders. Airbus says its announcements schedule is in the hands of its customers.
"Just what we expected," the head of Boeing's commercial airplane unit Scott Carson said about the Airbus deals.Bernama, Reuters
The new order brings Lion Air's combined orders for the 737-900ER to 100, it said.
The order was recently included on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries website, attributed to an unidentified customer, said Boeing in a statement issued from France on Monday.
"We are thrilled that Lion Air has chosen the Next-Generation 737 to play a key role in its plans for growth and market leadership," Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Scott Carson said.
"Lion Air's selection of the 737 to support its strategic expansion and fleet modernisation validates the superior economics and value the 737s offers to airlines. It is the most efficient single-aisle airplane operating in today's market."
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.
"This is a great achievement for Lion Air as we are the world's largest operator of the 737-900ER," said Lion Air founder and President Director Rusdi Kirana.
"The 737 is the right plane to support our growing route structure throughout Southeast Asia."
Boeing launched the 737-900ER programme in July 2005 when Lion Air announced the initial order for 30 of the newest 737 model.
In July 2006, the airline announced an additional order for 30 737-900ERs.
Lion Air received the first 737-900ER in April when the Boeing airplane was delivered in a special dual paint scheme that combined the Lion Air lion on the vertical stabiliser and the Boeing livery colours on the fuselage.
The airline will receive a total of seven 737-900ERs in 2007.
The 737-900ER 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.
Boeing and GE Commercial Aviation Services (Gecas) also announced an order for six Boeing 777 Freighters worth approximately US$1.42 billion at list prices.
The announcement increases the number of 777s Gecas has ordered directly from Boeing to 39, which includes 14 777 Freighters.
To date, Gecas has taken delivery of 15 777s. The agreement allows Gecas the right to substitute other 777 passenger models, if necessary, in the future, Boeing said.
"We are very pleased to have finalised this order for six additional 777 aircraft," Gecas President and Chief Executive Henry Hubschman said. "The 777 has proven itself to be a strong performer in the passenger market, and we believe this will also apply in the cargo segment."
At the Paris air show, Boeing's top commercial airplanes executive yesterday dismissed a US$45 billion order blitz unveiled by rival Airbus as the air show awaited a potential US$8 billion order for the Boeing 787.
European planemaker Airbus hit the ground running at the start of the week-long Le Bourget air show with firm orders for 219 planes, including more than 114 of its revamped A350 model, which still remains far behind sales of the 787.
Boeing often accuses Airbus of storing up orders to gain publicity at air shows and of confusing the real picture by mixing up firm and provisional orders. Airbus says its announcements schedule is in the hands of its customers.
"Just what we expected," the head of Boeing's commercial airplane unit Scott Carson said about the Airbus deals.Bernama, Reuters
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