Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Boeing: $5 billion in orders
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Associated Press
Visitors to the Singapore Airshow walk past a Boeing 777 model Tuesday. Indonesian airline Garuda ordered four Boeing 777-300 Extended Range jets, which are built in Everett and are valued at more than $1 billion.
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A Singapore Airlines plane flies over an Airbus A380 parked at a display area Tuesday on the first day of the Singapore Airshow.
EVERETT -- The Boeing Co. finished the first day of the Singapore Airshow with more than $5 billion in commercial jet orders.
At the first major aviation event of the year, Boeing's orders on Tuesday came from carriers in the Asia-Pacific region -- an area both Boeing and rival Airbus see as key. Airbus received an order from Korean Air for three of its A380s. The European jetmaker had an early lead over Boeing in this year's race for commercial aircraft orders.
Over the next 20 years, the Asia-Pacific region will have the largest demand for passenger airplanes, Airbus predicted in its recently released global market forecast. Boeing also expects strong growth in the region, forecasting the area will need 8,300 new aircraft by the year 2026. The Singapore Airshow runs through Sunday.
Boeing's major deal came from Lion Air, a Jakarta-based carrier, for 56 737 jets. The order, worth roughly $4.4 billion at list prices, is for Boeing 737-900 Extended Range jets. Lion Air served as the launch customer for the model and also took options for an additional 50 single aisle aircraft.
"The Next-Generation 737 is the right airplane for our airline, our customers and our growing route structure," said Rusdi Kirana, founder and president of Lion Air, in a statement. "Lion Air is committed to growing its fleet with fuel-efficient, reliable and technologically advanced aircraft, while offering its passengers the best service and lowest fares in the market."
Lion Air has ordered a total of 178 of the Renton-built 737-900ER jets.
Garuda Indonesia, also a Jakarta-based carrier, placed an order for four 777-300 Extended Range jets, built in Everett. The order is worth roughly $1 billion at list prices.
Additionally, Garuda confirmed a previously unidentified order for seven Next-Generation 737-800s placed in 2007 and announced that it has converted 18 of its existing 737-700 orders to 737-800s and six 777-200ER orders to 777-300ERs.
"We are extremely pleased with the support provided by Boeing to restructure previous purchase commitments," said Emirsyah Satar, president-director and chief executive officer of Garuda Indonesia, in a press statement. "This will enable Garuda to strategically implement its fleet renewal and expansion plan to meet the demands of a changing marketplace."
Korean Air's order for three A380s from Airbus brings the total number of orders for the superjumbo jet to 192 from 16 customers. This was a follow-up order for Korean Air, which originally ordered five A380s in 2003.
"We greatly value our partnership with Korean Air, and it is particularly satisfying to see our first and oldest customer outside Europe confirming his confidence in the A380 for its fleet renewal and growth strategy," said John Leahy, Airbus' chief operating officer, in a company statement.
Airbus listed 238 jet orders at the end of January, compared with Boeing's 65 orders. However, Airbus also leaped out to a lead early last year but lost the commercial jet sales title to Boeing.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com
At the first major aviation event of the year, Boeing's orders on Tuesday came from carriers in the Asia-Pacific region -- an area both Boeing and rival Airbus see as key. Airbus received an order from Korean Air for three of its A380s. The European jetmaker had an early lead over Boeing in this year's race for commercial aircraft orders.
Over the next 20 years, the Asia-Pacific region will have the largest demand for passenger airplanes, Airbus predicted in its recently released global market forecast. Boeing also expects strong growth in the region, forecasting the area will need 8,300 new aircraft by the year 2026. The Singapore Airshow runs through Sunday.
Boeing's major deal came from Lion Air, a Jakarta-based carrier, for 56 737 jets. The order, worth roughly $4.4 billion at list prices, is for Boeing 737-900 Extended Range jets. Lion Air served as the launch customer for the model and also took options for an additional 50 single aisle aircraft.
"The Next-Generation 737 is the right airplane for our airline, our customers and our growing route structure," said Rusdi Kirana, founder and president of Lion Air, in a statement. "Lion Air is committed to growing its fleet with fuel-efficient, reliable and technologically advanced aircraft, while offering its passengers the best service and lowest fares in the market."
Lion Air has ordered a total of 178 of the Renton-built 737-900ER jets.
Garuda Indonesia, also a Jakarta-based carrier, placed an order for four 777-300 Extended Range jets, built in Everett. The order is worth roughly $1 billion at list prices.
Additionally, Garuda confirmed a previously unidentified order for seven Next-Generation 737-800s placed in 2007 and announced that it has converted 18 of its existing 737-700 orders to 737-800s and six 777-200ER orders to 777-300ERs.
"We are extremely pleased with the support provided by Boeing to restructure previous purchase commitments," said Emirsyah Satar, president-director and chief executive officer of Garuda Indonesia, in a press statement. "This will enable Garuda to strategically implement its fleet renewal and expansion plan to meet the demands of a changing marketplace."
Korean Air's order for three A380s from Airbus brings the total number of orders for the superjumbo jet to 192 from 16 customers. This was a follow-up order for Korean Air, which originally ordered five A380s in 2003.
"We greatly value our partnership with Korean Air, and it is particularly satisfying to see our first and oldest customer outside Europe confirming his confidence in the A380 for its fleet renewal and growth strategy," said John Leahy, Airbus' chief operating officer, in a company statement.
Airbus listed 238 jet orders at the end of January, compared with Boeing's 65 orders. However, Airbus also leaped out to a lead early last year but lost the commercial jet sales title to Boeing.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com
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