The Boeing Co. has delivered the first two 777-300 Extended Range jets to Saudi Arabian Airlines, the jet maker said Monday.
The carrier also announced an order or eight 777s, valued at $2.4 billion at list prices. Boeing already accounted for the order in 2011.
“The new order reiterates our confidence in the 777 which has justifiably earned a reputation for its improved fuel efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort,” H.E. Eng. Khaled Al-Mulhim, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, said in a statement.
Boeing said its partnership with Saudi Arabia dates back to 1945 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented a DC-3 Dakota airplane to King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the founder of the Kingdom. Saudi Arabian Airlines took delivery of its first 777, a 777-200ER, in December 1997 and currently owns and operates 23 Boeing 777-200ERs.
“We will continue working closely with the airline to provide the best commercial aircraft and services to support its plans for growth, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Saudi Arabia by supporting the Kingdom’s goals for technology development and education,” Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a statement.
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