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BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
19 July, 2005: Boeing has officially announced the launch of 737-900ER aircraft (Extended Range), which is the new cub off the block in Boeing's 737 family. The announcement follows the finalisation of a sales arrangement from Indonesia's Lion Air for up to 60 planes.
Formerly known as 737-900X, the 737-900ER is spacious enough to carry more air travellers and fly longer. Boeing sees the addition of 737-900ER aircraft as increasing the capability of Next-Generation 737 airplane family.
Indonesia's first low-cost carrier Lion Air had first announced its plan to uy to 60 737s in earlyu 2005. The firm order now is for 30 of the new derivative airplane, with purchase rights for 30 additional models. The order is worth $3.9 billion at list prices.
The first of the Boeing 737-900ER is scheduled for delivery to Lion Air in the first half of 2007.
Said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes: "The Next-Generation Boeing 737 is the most efficient single-aisle airplane family today, and we are thrilled to have Lion Air as the launch customer to increase the 737 family's capability with the additional range and seating of the 737-900ER. In addition to the unprecedented economic advantages, the 737-900ER shares the same industry-leading reliability of the world's most successful airplane family."
The Boeing 737-900ER shares its size with the existing Boeing 737-900 aircraft. However, Boeing 737-900ER will carry 28 more passengers, by adding of a pair of exit doors and a flat rear pressure bulkhead. The maximum capacity of the Boeing 737-900ER will be 215 in a single-class layout, higher from the earlier 189.
Said President Director Rusdi Kirana of Lion Air: "we are delighted to be the launch customer for the 737-900ER. We are confident that the outstanding economics and reliability of the aircraft will contribute to the expansion and modernization of our fleet."
The 737-900ER can manage higher takeoff weights and greater range (up to 5,900 km) making it comparable to the 737-800's range. This has been made possible due to the aerodynamic and structural design changes, including strengthened wings, a two-position tailskid, enhancements to the leading and trailing edge flap systems, and optional Blended Winglets and auxiliary fuel tanks, said Boeing.
Powered by the CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines, the new derivative will have substantial economic advantages over competing models including 9 percent lower operating costs per trip and 7 percent lower operating costs per seat than the A321, which is more than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) heavier than the 737-900ER.
The Next-Generation 737s are 10 years newer and fly higher, faster, farther and more quietly than competing models. To date, 86 airlines have placed orders for more than 2,700 Next-Generation 737s.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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