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BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
19 June, 2005: Alaska Airlines and Boeing said the airline has ordered 35 Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft for $2.3 billion.
Alaska Airlines based in Seattle, US, also has options for an another 15 airplanes, which, if
exercised, would hike the order value by $983 million. Alaska Airlines has also taken purchase rights for another 50 airplanes, making this among the largest orders for 737-800s.
Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: "When the hometown airline chooses the hometown airplane, it's cause for celebration. With this order, our Alaska Airlines partner reconfirms the value of the Next-Generation 737 as the airline continues building for success in an increasingly competitive environment."
Three of the 35 airplanes announced were booked earlier in 2005, with the airline unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.
All the airplanes on firm order will be delivered between 2006 and 2011. Alaska Airlines flies 34 Next-Generation 737 airplanes consisting of 22 737-700s, two 737-800s and 12 737-900s.
Boeing claims that the Next-Generation 737 offers 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 percent lower, than the Airbus A320. The Next-Generation 737 is the most popular single-aisle airplane and the fastest selling airplane of all time.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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