Aerospace and defense giant Boeing Co. (BA) Monday stated that Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines has finalized an order for 20 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The order is valued at $1.6 billion at current list prices.
Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 66 Boeing airplanes, including 58 Next-Generation 737s. The order, which was posted previously to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web site as an unidentified customer, includes 10 737-800s and 10 737-900ER, or Extended Range, airplanes.
According to Boeing, the 737-900ER is the newest member of the 737 family combining aerodynamic and other design changes to provide more room for up to 215 passengers. The 737-900ER will be the latest 737 family member to join the Turkish Airlines fleet.
Further, Boeing said that all of the new Turkish Airlines' Next-Generation 737 airplanes will be fitted with the latest 737 Boeing Sky Interior. It features soft blue overhead lighting, contemporary sculpted sidewalls and window reveals. The Sky Interior design is based on the cabin design of the 787 Dreamliner and it offers larger, pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin. The bins give more passengers room to store carry-on luggage near their own seats, adding extra legroom, Boeing noted.
Turkish Airlines, founded in 1933, carries approximately 25 million passengers a year, with direct flights to 120 international and 37 domestic destinations. The airline made its first domestic flight in 1933 and the first international flight in 1947.
Commenting on the order, Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stated, "The 737-900ER will fit seamlessly into Turkish Airlines' operations, sharing the same pilots, systems and nearly 100 percent spares commonality with the airlines' current Next-Generation 737 fleet."
Earlier this month, Boeing and Dushanbe, Tajikistan-based private air carrier Somon Air have announced an order for two Next-Generation 737-900ERs. The order, valued at $163 million at list prices, represents Somon Air's first direct purchase of airplanes from Boeing.
On February 22, Southern Air Holdings Inc. (BA) announced the addition of two Boeing 777 Freighters to its fleet. The first 777 was delivered to Southern Air in early February and the second one was scheduled to be delivered on March 2.
Boeing and United Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation (UAUA) said on February 25 that they have finalized an order for twenty-five 787-8 jetliners valued at $4.2 billion at average list prices. The agreement also includes the opportunity to purchase another 50 Dreamliners.
The 787 Dreamliner, currently in flight test, is more than two years behind schedule. The aircraft was originally scheduled to enter service in May 2008, but production had been delayed multiple times. The aircraft's maiden flight, originally planned for September 2007, took place on December 15, 2009. Including United Airlines, 57 customers around the world have ordered 876 Dreamliners, making the 787 the fastest-selling new commercial jetliner in history.
On February 8, Boeing said that the 747-8 Freighter, the largest commercial jet ever built by the company, successfully completed its first flight.
BA closed Friday's trading at $67.93, up $2.38, on a volume of 8.51 million shares.
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