EVERETT — The Boeing Co. and Kuwait Airways finalized an order for 10 777-300ERs, a deal worth $3.3 billion at list price, the airplane maker announced Tuesday.
Kuwait Airways had said in November that it intended to order the twin-aisle, long-haul jetliners.
The airline’s CEO, Rasha Al Roumi praised the airplane in a news release from Boeing.
“Kuwait Airways has plans to renew its fleet as well as expand its operations and the 777-300ER is a perfect airplane for our strategy,” Al Roumi said. “The airplane has already validated its position in terms of high reliability, low operating costs and fuel efficiency. We are looking forward to having the 777-300ER join our fleet.”
The 777-300ER has a 99.5 percent dispatch reliability, according to Boeing.
A high dispatch reliability means the airplane is hardly ever the reason for not leaving the gate on time.
Boeing has logged more than 50 orders for 777s this year. But it has more to go to keep the assembly line in Everett working at full capacity until after the 777X goes into service with airlines in 2020.
Boeing executives, including Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Ray Conner, have said the company can get enough orders to stay at current production levels.
“This order marks another feather in the cap for the 777-300ER, which not only continues to be an integral part of the fleet of many of the world’s airlines, but is also being ordered by new customers who see the value of the airplane,” Conner said in the news release. “The aerospace industry in the Middle East continues to enjoy a phenomenal growth, and we are proud to be part of that growth and look forward to an enduring relationship with Kuwait Airways.”
Boeing also announced Tuesday that Azerbaijan Airlines has taken delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner, making it the first airline in a post-Soviet state to operate a 787.
The airline’s president, Jahangir Askerov, said the Dreamliner is a good fit for the company’s plans to expand its long-haul fleet.
To date, 58 customers have ordered 1,055 787 Dreamliners, according to Boeing.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
