EVERETT – On Thursday, the Boeing Co. added more than $2 billion in new commercial jet orders to its already record backlog.
Just one day after it confirmed an Air Canada order for 23 of its 787 jets, Boeing announced orders from three customers: equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, India’s SpiceJet and one unidentified buyer. Altogether, Boeing has announced 43 new orders this week and identified the buyers for 44 orders that were previously listed. The company has sold a total of 264 jets this year.
Oak Hill Capital Partners announced an order for six Boeing 777 Freighters. The six-airplane order brings Boeing’s total for the twin-engine freighter to 71 airplanes from 10 customers since its launch in May 2005.
“Oak Hill is well positioned to help in expanding the customer base for the 777 Freighter by allowing operators to experience the superior economics and reliability for which the 777 family is known,” said Ray Conner, Boeing’s vice president of sales for commercial airplanes.
The 777 Freighter is based on the 777-200 Longer Range Worldliner passenger airplane. The twin-engine cargo airplane offers a revenue payload capability of 229,000 pounds with a range of 4,885 nautical miles.
On Thursday, Delhi-based SpiceJet ordered 10 Next Generation 737-800s to add to its fleet of single aisle jets.
The order, valued at more than $700 million at list prices, follows previous orders in February 2005 and August 2006 for a total of 30 737s. The private carrier began service in May 2005 with three leased Boeing 737-800s and placed orders in 2005 and 2006 for a total of 30 Renton-built jets.
“The 737’s reliability, low operating cost and passenger comfort provide unmatched value for both SpiceJet and its customers,” said SpiceJet board director Bhulo Kansagra. “These aircraft are enabling us to add capacity on new and existing routes, and will continue to support SpiceJet’s mission of being India’s preferred low-cost airline.”
As of March 31, the Next-Generation 737 has logged 104 customers who have placed orders for more than 3,700 Next-Generation 737s, and has more than 1,500 unfilled orders with a value of more than $100 billion at current list prices.
When updating its 2007 orders on its Web site Thursday, Boeing also identified 44 previously unnamed orders, including Virgin Atlantic’s request for 15 787s and Arik Air’s order for four 777s and three 787s. Boeing’s stock dropped 0.45 percent to $94.26 for the day.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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