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BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
23 July, 2005: The Boeing Company and Spanish airline Air Europa have signed an agreement for the acquisition of 18 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s, in a deal valued at $1.2 billion. The deal, with options to purchase an additional 16 aircraft, was earlier announced at Paris Air Show.
The order is valued at about $1.2 billion at list prices, with deliveries slated to begin in 2007, with three new airplanes to be delivered annually.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain-headquartered Air Europa will use the additional 737s for renewal and growth of its short-to-medium-range fleet. The carrier currently operates 27 737-800s, two 737-400s and five 767-300s.
"Our new 737-800s will allow Air Europa to remain with one of the most modern and most technologically advanced fleets for short- and medium-range routes," said Juan Jose Hidalgo, president, Globalia Corporacion, of which Air Europa is a subsidiary, said in a release issued to the press.
"All indications point towards continued growth for our airline. The 737-800 will be a tremendous asset as we grow our business with a steady eye towards profitability,” he added.
The Next-Generation 737 provides the best value in its class, with proven profit-making capability, achieved through superior operating economics and passenger appeal.
The jet flies 305 nautical miles further, and has operating costs that are four to 10 per cent lower, than its competitor. The Next-Generation 737 is the most popular single-aisle airplane and the fastest selling airplane of all time.
"Air Europa will benefit from the 737's unbeatable economics for years to come," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Air Europa, founded in 1986, is the air travel division of Globalia Corporacion.
Air Europa operates a fleet of 35 Boeing airplanes on a network that includes most of the Spanish territory. Its continuous expansion process has led the company to establish new European destinations such as Paris, Milan, Rome and London and transatlantic destinations and China.
As part of an effort to provide more comfortable and global service to customers, Air Europa has signed collaboration agreements with Aeropostal, Air France, Air Luxor, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, KLM, Malev, TGA Portugalia Airlines and Tunisair.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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