Northwest Airlines' cancellations continued Sunday, with more than 200 flights dropped as pilots stayed home, saying they were pushed to the limit of hours they are allowed to fly each month.
via The Seattle Times
11:21 AM
11:10 AM
TOKYO: All Nippon Airways Co., Japan's second-largest carrier, said Tuesday its profit climbed to a record amount in the most recent quarter, lifted by the sale of its poor hotel business to a U.S. investment ...
via International Herald Tribune
11:03 AM
Air traffic controllers in Louisville say ground radar at Louisville International Airport has finished its testing phase and is operational.
via WFIE-TV Evansville
11:01 AM
British Airways was fined almost $550 million on Wednesday by U.S. and British regulators after the airline acknowledged colluding with rival Virgin Atlantic over fuel surcharges.
via Canadian Business Magazine
10:56 AM
The U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday British Airways and Korean Air Lines have agreed to plead guilty and pay separate $300 million criminal fines for their roles in conspiracies to fix the prices of ...
via Reuters UK
10:53 AM
Low-fare carrier Allegiant Air, which serves Tri-State Airport, has announced it will establish bases at two new destinations: Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz., and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
via Herald-dispatch.com
10:43 AM
Frontier Airlines, the Denver-based low-fare carrier, will announce today that it will launch service between Rapid City and Denver, Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas confirmed Monday. Hodas said service would begin Oct. 5, and the new carrier will offer two flights a day seven days a week to Frontier's Denver hub. He said other details, including fares and schedules, would be released today. Rapid City is one of three cities notified Monday that Frontier will add them to its schedule. The others are Wichita, Kan., and Sioux City, Iowa. Last winter, Frontier invited as many as 50 mid-sized cities within a 1,200-mile radius of Denver to submit proposals.
The Frontier routes were coveted by airport managers throughout the region. Its low-fare business model, pioneered by Southwest Airlines, brings lower fares, even among traditional carriers, to the markets where they set up. Some cities even offered cash subsidies to lure Frontier. Sioux Falls, for instance, offered $250,000 in revenue guarantees. A consultant in Sioux Falls told airport officials there that fares could drop by 30 percent if Frontier enters the market. It's unclear, at least for now, whether Frontier's entry in to the Rapid City market will have such a dramatic effect on overall fares.
Mason Short, Rapid City Regional Airport's executive director, said Monday that Rapid City's package included no cash subsidy or revenue guarantees.
Currently, the only incentives Rapid City offers to airlines are marketing agreements through the Rapid City Air Service Task Force and partners such as the South Dakota Department of Tourism and the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. Short believes it was the Rapid City market itself that lured Frontier to town.
"I think it was twofold: The tremendous outdoor recreation and attractions that are here, and the tremendous amount of demand for air service in Rapid City," he said. Rapid City has higher-than-average load factors despite higher-than-average fares, Short said.
"I think that made the market ripe for lower-fare competition," he said. Denver is currently the biggest destination for air travel from Rapid City Regional Airport. In May, the United Express carrier ferried more than 17,500 passengers to and from Denver. Meanwhile Northwest Airlines transported about 15,500 passengers to and from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
SkyWest, operating as a DeltaConnection carrier to the Delta Airlines hub in Salt Lake City, had 5,500 passengers in May. And Allegiant Air's route to Las Vegas carried 2,000 passengers. Frontier Airlines began service on July 5, 1994, with 180 employees and two Boeing 737s on routes from Denver to North Dakota cities of Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot.
Since then, it has grown to be the second-largest carrier out of Denver International Airport, with an average of 250 daily departures and arrivals to 57 cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America.
source:http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/
The Frontier routes were coveted by airport managers throughout the region. Its low-fare business model, pioneered by Southwest Airlines, brings lower fares, even among traditional carriers, to the markets where they set up. Some cities even offered cash subsidies to lure Frontier. Sioux Falls, for instance, offered $250,000 in revenue guarantees. A consultant in Sioux Falls told airport officials there that fares could drop by 30 percent if Frontier enters the market. It's unclear, at least for now, whether Frontier's entry in to the Rapid City market will have such a dramatic effect on overall fares.
Mason Short, Rapid City Regional Airport's executive director, said Monday that Rapid City's package included no cash subsidy or revenue guarantees.
Currently, the only incentives Rapid City offers to airlines are marketing agreements through the Rapid City Air Service Task Force and partners such as the South Dakota Department of Tourism and the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. Short believes it was the Rapid City market itself that lured Frontier to town.
"I think it was twofold: The tremendous outdoor recreation and attractions that are here, and the tremendous amount of demand for air service in Rapid City," he said. Rapid City has higher-than-average load factors despite higher-than-average fares, Short said.
"I think that made the market ripe for lower-fare competition," he said. Denver is currently the biggest destination for air travel from Rapid City Regional Airport. In May, the United Express carrier ferried more than 17,500 passengers to and from Denver. Meanwhile Northwest Airlines transported about 15,500 passengers to and from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
SkyWest, operating as a DeltaConnection carrier to the Delta Airlines hub in Salt Lake City, had 5,500 passengers in May. And Allegiant Air's route to Las Vegas carried 2,000 passengers. Frontier Airlines began service on July 5, 1994, with 180 employees and two Boeing 737s on routes from Denver to North Dakota cities of Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot.
Since then, it has grown to be the second-largest carrier out of Denver International Airport, with an average of 250 daily departures and arrivals to 57 cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America.
source:http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/
10:37 AM
Air New Zealand said today it is purchasing four Boeing 777-300 long-haul aircraft, and has options on a further three.
The four aircraft, due for delivery by 2011, have a list price of $1.1 billion, but were purchased at a discount, Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe said.
The purchases, in addition to the eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners on order, would extend the range, capacity and fuel efficiency of the Air NZ fleet, Mr Fyfe said.
"The purchase rights for the 777-300ERs were obtained from Boeing in 2004, and the confidence we showed in the future of Air New Zealand when the aircraft purchasing market was at the bottom of the cycle three years ago has really paid off," Mr Fyfe said.
Air NZ has now committed more than $2.6 billion to long haul fleet investment.
The airline will move to a full 777 and 787 twin engine fleet for long haul flights around 2012, phasing out the Boeing 747 and 767s as the new aircraft are introduced.
The Boeing 787 is 20 percent more fuel efficient than other long-haul aircraft, while the 777s are 16 percent more efficient than the 747s.
The 777-300ER can seat around 50 more passengers than the 313-seat 777-200ERs in its fleet.
Air NZ said it planned to fund the purchase through a mixture of cash and debt.
At its interim result in February, the airline said it had completed the first stage of a three-year, $2.6 billion capital investment programme with over $1 billion still in the bank and a debt ratio of just 46.7 per cent.
While the aircraft were cheaper to run and maintain, the purchases did not herald a fall in ticket prices, Mr Fyfe said.
The airline also did not expect to drop its fuel surcharge for passengers.
"A number of airlines are in the process of introducing additional fuel surcharges. We've got jet fuel price today back up at record levels.
"Hopefully these sorts of decisions may preclude us having to introduce further surcharges, but we're talking today about aircraft that are going to be introduced in three years' time, so I struggle to be honest to figure out what the fuel price is going to do in three months' time," Mr Fyfe said.
Jet fuel remains the airline's most significant cost.
Shares in majority government-owned Air NZ were down 2.3 per cent at $2.60 today, having traded between $1.08 and $3.13 in the last 12 months.
source: http://stuff.co.nz/
10:38 AM
AdamAir, a rapidly growing Indonesian low-cost carrier has selected the Airbus A320 for a complete fleet modernisation by initially leasing six aircraft and comfirming the intention to build up a fleet of thirty aircraft over the next five years.','AdamAir, a rapidly growing Indonesian low-cost carrier has selected the Airbus A320 for a complete fleet modernisation by initially leasing six aircraft and comfirming the intention to build up a fleet of thirty aircraft over the next five years.
The long term A320 fleet will comprise of both ieased and purchased aircraft and will be used to totally replace the existing fleet of old generation Boeing 737's. The A320s will be deployed on AdamAir's domestic and international network that currently extends to 30 destinations in Indonesia and neighbouring south-east Asian nations.
AdamAir A320s will be configured in a comfortable 180-seat layout with the biggest overhead bins and the most passenger space. The advanced A320 burns less fuel, has lower maintenance cost and better passenger comfort than any competing single-asia aircraft. Firm orders for the A320 family stand at more than 4.200, more than 2.800 of which have been deliverd to more than 190 customers around the world. In the Asia - Pacific region, 38 airlines operate almost 480 A320 Family aircraft.
"In just two years, AdamAir has build a strong competitive position ini one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Now is the time for the next step of our development. We have studied the alternative aircraft options avaible but have concluded that the A320 is the superior solution in terms of lower fuel and maintenance cost. We are sure that AdamAir passengers will be excited by the A320's attractive cabin and delighted by the low fares we wlii be able to offer", said Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gustav Humbert
The A320 Family offers optimum cabin comfort in its class, reflecting a common commitment that is found in all aircraft. And like all the passenger aircraft that airbus produce today, it features many modern technology features at no extra charge - such as advance fuel saving aerodynamics, including winglets, widespread weight-saving carbonfibre composites and pilot and maintenance - friendly fly - by - wire controls and centralized maintenance.
Widely accepted as the industry standard, the best selling Airbus A320 Family comprises a variety of seating configurations that allow for a customized lay - out depending on the airliner's needs. All of them share the same airframe - only the fuselage lengths are different - and the same cockpits, systems and engines, delivering unmatched operational commonality and savings to airlines.
The long term A320 fleet will comprise of both ieased and purchased aircraft and will be used to totally replace the existing fleet of old generation Boeing 737's. The A320s will be deployed on AdamAir's domestic and international network that currently extends to 30 destinations in Indonesia and neighbouring south-east Asian nations.
AdamAir A320s will be configured in a comfortable 180-seat layout with the biggest overhead bins and the most passenger space. The advanced A320 burns less fuel, has lower maintenance cost and better passenger comfort than any competing single-asia aircraft. Firm orders for the A320 family stand at more than 4.200, more than 2.800 of which have been deliverd to more than 190 customers around the world. In the Asia - Pacific region, 38 airlines operate almost 480 A320 Family aircraft.
"In just two years, AdamAir has build a strong competitive position ini one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Now is the time for the next step of our development. We have studied the alternative aircraft options avaible but have concluded that the A320 is the superior solution in terms of lower fuel and maintenance cost. We are sure that AdamAir passengers will be excited by the A320's attractive cabin and delighted by the low fares we wlii be able to offer", said Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gustav Humbert
The A320 Family offers optimum cabin comfort in its class, reflecting a common commitment that is found in all aircraft. And like all the passenger aircraft that airbus produce today, it features many modern technology features at no extra charge - such as advance fuel saving aerodynamics, including winglets, widespread weight-saving carbonfibre composites and pilot and maintenance - friendly fly - by - wire controls and centralized maintenance.
Widely accepted as the industry standard, the best selling Airbus A320 Family comprises a variety of seating configurations that allow for a customized lay - out depending on the airliner's needs. All of them share the same airframe - only the fuselage lengths are different - and the same cockpits, systems and engines, delivering unmatched operational commonality and savings to airlines.
2:57 PM
State-owned airline Garuda Indonesia made a break-through in selling ticket in post offices through-out the country by recently signing cooperation with state-owned PT Pos Indonesia.
With the new service, Garuda's passengers now has other choices in acquiring tickets either from post offices, or from the travel agencies and Garuda's agents.
The same as other agents, the tickets to be issued by the post offices are based on online to Garuda reservation center. Other benefits of the cooperation among others, PT Pos Indonesia has allocation of cargo space on Garuda's planes on domestic and international destinations. (source :Angkasa Magazine-ds)
With the new service, Garuda's passengers now has other choices in acquiring tickets either from post offices, or from the travel agencies and Garuda's agents.
The same as other agents, the tickets to be issued by the post offices are based on online to Garuda reservation center. Other benefits of the cooperation among others, PT Pos Indonesia has allocation of cargo space on Garuda's planes on domestic and international destinations. (source :Angkasa Magazine-ds)
2:55 PM
Cardig International sold 49 percent of Mandala stake to American based private firm Indigo Partners, a firm with extensive experience in strategic airline partnerships. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and in Singapore for the Asia Pacific region, Indigo owned shares of airline companies in Asia, Europe and in the United States.
Previously Cardig owned 100 percent Mandala Airlines when the company April 17, 2006 took over ownership of the airline worth Rp 300 billion from a foundation owned by the Indonesian Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad).
Cardig's newly appointed president director, Diono Nurjadin who announced the sale October 1 further said, "With two supporting companies, Cardig and Indigo, we hope Mandala Airlines will be more vigorous in the years to come. Especially the joint venture is a long term cooperation and reflects a combination of a company with a strong business administration background and a company that has vast experience in managing international airlines."
Nurjadin did not revealed the nominal of the 49 percent sale, but added that Cardig owned 10 companies related to the aviation industry, while Indigo as partner would share experience in financial management specially in international airline investment sector.
Lim Liang Song of Indigo said his company has committed to give full support to Mandala Airlines in transforming it to be one of the major player in the domestic market and meeting international standards.
Alex Widjojo, Mandala's spokesman added, four new lease Airbus A320s would be deployed last October to strengthen Mandala's existing 14 aircraft servicing 18 domestic destinations.
"We are also planning to add another six aircraft by 2007 and will grow even more in the coming years. We will continue to focus on domestic flights, meeting demand and giving our customer better service," he said.
Presently Mandala is training 38 new pilots in France, Spain and other countries in conjunction with its fleet expansion planning. In the coming months, the airline will introduce service of purchasing ticket through ATMs for the convenient of their customers. (source: angkasa magazine - dudi sudibyo-November 2006)
Previously Cardig owned 100 percent Mandala Airlines when the company April 17, 2006 took over ownership of the airline worth Rp 300 billion from a foundation owned by the Indonesian Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad).
Cardig's newly appointed president director, Diono Nurjadin who announced the sale October 1 further said, "With two supporting companies, Cardig and Indigo, we hope Mandala Airlines will be more vigorous in the years to come. Especially the joint venture is a long term cooperation and reflects a combination of a company with a strong business administration background and a company that has vast experience in managing international airlines."
Nurjadin did not revealed the nominal of the 49 percent sale, but added that Cardig owned 10 companies related to the aviation industry, while Indigo as partner would share experience in financial management specially in international airline investment sector.
Lim Liang Song of Indigo said his company has committed to give full support to Mandala Airlines in transforming it to be one of the major player in the domestic market and meeting international standards.
Alex Widjojo, Mandala's spokesman added, four new lease Airbus A320s would be deployed last October to strengthen Mandala's existing 14 aircraft servicing 18 domestic destinations.
"We are also planning to add another six aircraft by 2007 and will grow even more in the coming years. We will continue to focus on domestic flights, meeting demand and giving our customer better service," he said.
Presently Mandala is training 38 new pilots in France, Spain and other countries in conjunction with its fleet expansion planning. In the coming months, the airline will introduce service of purchasing ticket through ATMs for the convenient of their customers. (source: angkasa magazine - dudi sudibyo-November 2006)
2:50 PM
1:22 PM
Farnborough, United Kingdom, July 18, 2006 — GoAir has signed an agreement with Airbus Industrie to acquire 10 A-320 aircraft with an option of purchasing 10 more, intending to expand its route network in the next few months.
The agreement was signed at the ongoing airshow by Airbus President and CEO Cristian Streiss and GoAir Managing Director Jeh Wadia on Monday.
These aircraft would be powered by CFM International engines and would have an all economy configuration of 180 seats.
The agreement was signed at the ongoing airshow by Airbus President and CEO Cristian Streiss and GoAir Managing Director Jeh Wadia on Monday.
These aircraft would be powered by CFM International engines and would have an all economy configuration of 180 seats.
1:20 PM
Farnborough, United Kingdom, July 19, 2006 — Malaysia’s AirAsia ordered 40 Airbus A320-family single-aisle passenger jets, with an option for 30 more, while ILFC, a unit of American International Group Inc., ordered six of the jets.
Aegean Airlines picked up three more A320s to replace aging aircraft in its fleet.
In another, nonbinding agreement, Spanish carrier Grupo Marsans agreed to buy 12 Airbus A330-200 airplanes, with an option for a further 10 planes.
Airbus also said that its corporate jetliner arm has won a new order from an undisclosed European customer, taking firm orders of the company’s executive and private aircraft in 2006 to a record 14. Airbus did not disclose which of its corporate jets was ordered or its list price.
[more]
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13937122/
July 19, 2006
Wizz Air Orders 20 Additional A320s
Farnborough, United Kingdom, 20 July, 2006 — Wizz Air of Hungary signed a firm contract with Airbus for 20 additional A320s. This rapidly expanding Central and Eastern European low-fare, low-cost airline is herewith increasing its all-Airbus fleet, following its initial order of 12 A320 aircraft a year ago.
All the aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines V2500 and be configured in a comfortable single-class layout, seating up to 180 passengers.
The new order facilitates the airline’s robust growth plan in Central and Eastern Europe to meet the ever increasing demand for air travel in the region in the next years. Wizz Air is Central & Eastern Europe’s largest low-fare, low-cost airline. Wizz Air flies a young fleet of 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline operates flights from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia and Romania to 40 destinations on 70 routes this summer. Wizz Air has carried 4 million passengers since its start of operations in 2004.
20 July, 2006
Airbus Nets Nine New Orders at Air Show
Farnborough, United Kingdom, July 20, 2006 — European aircraft maker Airbus said Thursday that U.S. leasing company CIT Group Inc. has ordered nine jets.
Under the deal announced on the fourth day of the Farnborough International Airshow, Airbus said CIT is buying five A330-200 and four A320 planes.
The planemaker did not disclose details of the contract. The A330-200 carries a catalog price of $160 million; the A320 has a price of around $65 million.
The deal took Airbus’ total orders or commitments at the airshow, one of the biggest events on the aviation calendar, to 94 planes, worth around $7.4 billion.
Aegean Airlines picked up three more A320s to replace aging aircraft in its fleet.
In another, nonbinding agreement, Spanish carrier Grupo Marsans agreed to buy 12 Airbus A330-200 airplanes, with an option for a further 10 planes.
Airbus also said that its corporate jetliner arm has won a new order from an undisclosed European customer, taking firm orders of the company’s executive and private aircraft in 2006 to a record 14. Airbus did not disclose which of its corporate jets was ordered or its list price.
[more]
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13937122/
July 19, 2006
Wizz Air Orders 20 Additional A320s
Farnborough, United Kingdom, 20 July, 2006 — Wizz Air of Hungary signed a firm contract with Airbus for 20 additional A320s. This rapidly expanding Central and Eastern European low-fare, low-cost airline is herewith increasing its all-Airbus fleet, following its initial order of 12 A320 aircraft a year ago.
All the aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines V2500 and be configured in a comfortable single-class layout, seating up to 180 passengers.
The new order facilitates the airline’s robust growth plan in Central and Eastern Europe to meet the ever increasing demand for air travel in the region in the next years. Wizz Air is Central & Eastern Europe’s largest low-fare, low-cost airline. Wizz Air flies a young fleet of 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline operates flights from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia and Romania to 40 destinations on 70 routes this summer. Wizz Air has carried 4 million passengers since its start of operations in 2004.
20 July, 2006
Airbus Nets Nine New Orders at Air Show
Farnborough, United Kingdom, July 20, 2006 — European aircraft maker Airbus said Thursday that U.S. leasing company CIT Group Inc. has ordered nine jets.
Under the deal announced on the fourth day of the Farnborough International Airshow, Airbus said CIT is buying five A330-200 and four A320 planes.
The planemaker did not disclose details of the contract. The A330-200 carries a catalog price of $160 million; the A320 has a price of around $65 million.
The deal took Airbus’ total orders or commitments at the airshow, one of the biggest events on the aviation calendar, to 94 planes, worth around $7.4 billion.
1:17 PM
Aurora, Illinois, USA, July 24, 2006 - Michael Chung jumps to his feet, grabbing a propane torch and a quarter-inch sheet of Styrofoam.
He gets the torch going full blast and uses his bare hands to hold the flimsy foam panel directly over the flame.
Rather than disintegrating as it should, the panel just chars slightly. Chung’s hands are not even warm.
The Styrofoam had been coated with a patented WSD product called FiREX, a thin layer of which can block the spread of combustion and heat in excess of 3,000°F.
The product is called an intumescent coating, a category that includes a variety of fire-proofing chemicals that have been on the market for years.
What sets FiREX apart, Chung said, is the fact that it is patented rather than proprietary, so its owners have no qualms revealing its component chemicals to prove it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
He gets the torch going full blast and uses his bare hands to hold the flimsy foam panel directly over the flame.
Rather than disintegrating as it should, the panel just chars slightly. Chung’s hands are not even warm.
The Styrofoam had been coated with a patented WSD product called FiREX, a thin layer of which can block the spread of combustion and heat in excess of 3,000°F.
The product is called an intumescent coating, a category that includes a variety of fire-proofing chemicals that have been on the market for years.
What sets FiREX apart, Chung said, is the fact that it is patented rather than proprietary, so its owners have no qualms revealing its component chemicals to prove it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
11:06 AM
Farnborough, United Kingdom, July 17, 2006 — The Boeing Company and Jakarta-based Lion Air today announced that the airline exercised its purchase rights and ordered an additional 30 737-900ERs (Extended Range). Valued at more than $2.2 billion at list prices, deliveries of these additional 737-900ERs are scheduled to begin in early 2010 and continue through 2012.
The agreement was announced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally and Lion Air President Director Rusdi Kirana at the Farnborough Air Show. Lion Air, the launch customer for the 737-900ER, announced its first order for 30 737-900ERs and 30 purchase rights in July 2005. These two orders combined total 60 airplanes. Deliveries of the first order are scheduled to begin in 2007.
The order was recently included on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer.
“The Next-Generation 737 is the most efficient single-aisle family today, and we are thrilled that Lion Air has selected the 737-900ER to support its expansion and fleet modernization plans,” Mulally said. “The 737-900ER increases the 737 family’s range and seat capability, and it shares the same industry-leading reliability of the world’s most successful airplane family. Lion Air has been a great launch customer, and we are looking forward to delivering the very first 737-900ER to Lion Air in 2007.”
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.
“Maximizing the unprecedented economic advantages of the 737-900ER is the key to our future growth as we expand our routes and add new destinations within our growing market,” said Kirana. “We look forward to introducing the 737-900ER into Lion Air’s fleet and to our growing base of customers.”
The 737-900ER is the same size as today’s 737-900, but with the addition of a pair of exit doors and a flat-rear pressure bulkhead, it can carry 26 additional passengers, raising the maximum capacity from 189 to 215 in a single-class configuration. Additionally, Blended Winglets, advanced technology wing enhancements and auxiliary fuel tanks will give the 737-900ER an increased range of 3,200 nautical miles (5,925 kilometers) — 500 nautical miles more than the 737-900.
“This fleet will help meet Lion Air’s strategic expansion goals,” said Dinesh Keskar, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Sales, South-Southeast Asia. “With more range and the lowest operating cost of any single-aisle jet in its class, the 737-900ER is an ideal fit to deliver superior economics and premier service.”
Lion Air operates an all-Boeing fleet and is the largest low-cost airline in Asia with traffic reaching one million passengers a month since the airline’s inception in June 2000.
July 17, 2006
The agreement was announced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally and Lion Air President Director Rusdi Kirana at the Farnborough Air Show. Lion Air, the launch customer for the 737-900ER, announced its first order for 30 737-900ERs and 30 purchase rights in July 2005. These two orders combined total 60 airplanes. Deliveries of the first order are scheduled to begin in 2007.
The order was recently included on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer.
“The Next-Generation 737 is the most efficient single-aisle family today, and we are thrilled that Lion Air has selected the 737-900ER to support its expansion and fleet modernization plans,” Mulally said. “The 737-900ER increases the 737 family’s range and seat capability, and it shares the same industry-leading reliability of the world’s most successful airplane family. Lion Air has been a great launch customer, and we are looking forward to delivering the very first 737-900ER to Lion Air in 2007.”
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.
“Maximizing the unprecedented economic advantages of the 737-900ER is the key to our future growth as we expand our routes and add new destinations within our growing market,” said Kirana. “We look forward to introducing the 737-900ER into Lion Air’s fleet and to our growing base of customers.”
The 737-900ER is the same size as today’s 737-900, but with the addition of a pair of exit doors and a flat-rear pressure bulkhead, it can carry 26 additional passengers, raising the maximum capacity from 189 to 215 in a single-class configuration. Additionally, Blended Winglets, advanced technology wing enhancements and auxiliary fuel tanks will give the 737-900ER an increased range of 3,200 nautical miles (5,925 kilometers) — 500 nautical miles more than the 737-900.
“This fleet will help meet Lion Air’s strategic expansion goals,” said Dinesh Keskar, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Sales, South-Southeast Asia. “With more range and the lowest operating cost of any single-aisle jet in its class, the 737-900ER is an ideal fit to deliver superior economics and premier service.”
Lion Air operates an all-Boeing fleet and is the largest low-cost airline in Asia with traffic reaching one million passengers a month since the airline’s inception in June 2000.
July 17, 2006
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