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Royal Air Maroc Selects Boeing 787 Dreamliner
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
13th August, 2005: Royal Air Maroc has signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) for purchasing up to five
787 Dreamliners from Boeing, the companies announced.
Boeing and Royal Air Maroc said the firms hope to end
negotiations on the deal in September this year. Boeing
Commercial Airplanes regional sales director Ihssane Mounir
said Royal Air Maroc selected the 787 because of its
“unmatched capability and value after a thorough analysis”.
The board of Royal Air Maroc had okayed the purchase the
Boeing 787s on July 29. RAM's Board of Directors had
instructed the airline to directly engage Boeing in
negotiations for the purchase of the 787 as the best solution
for its long-haul fleet.
The RAM was impressed by the unique mix of distinct advantages
of the 787 that will allow it to operate more profitably with
less fuel and the comforts of the Dreamliner, apart from its
interior enhancements.
The Dreamliner’ lower weight, superior strength and
maintenance advantages allows higher humidity inside the
cabin, larger windows, better air filtration and lower cabin
altitude. This would provide more comfort and a less stressful
trip for its passengers.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will enter commercial service in
2008. Boeing has so far bagged 257 total orders and
commitments from 21 airlines worldwide.
Earlier this week, four Chinese airlines decided to buy 42
Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, at an estimated cost of about $5
billion. Air China and China Eastern Airlines will each buy 15
planes, the Shanghai Airlines will buy nine, and Xiamen
Airlines will buy three, according to media reports. In
January this year, six airlines, including the above mentioned
Chinese carriers, had announced plans to buy 60 of the 787s.
Boeing is still in talks with Hainan Airlines and China
Southern Airlines to confirm their orders, a Boeing spokesman
said. Japan is Boeing’s largest customer for the 787
Dreamliner, followed by China. Analysts estimate that China
will need more than 2,300 aircraft, which would cost around
$183 billion, in the next two decades.
The Chinese deal assumes significance as it comes just ahead
of the visit of China’s president Hu Jintao to the United
States in September. All Chinese airlines are government
owned, though individual airlines take their on decisions
regarding purchase of aircraft.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT |
