EVERETT – The Boeing Co. got gifts from a Kuwait leasing company and a German airline Saturday on the eve of its rollout of the 787 – firm orders for 35 Dreamliners.
Air Berlin, Germany’s third-largest low-fare airline, said it will buy 25 787-8s. The order was announced by Joachim Hunold, Air Berlin’s chief executive Saturday night at a reception at the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Everett.
The German order, which at lists prices would total $4 billion, represents the largest single order by a European airline, and brings the total firm orders for the Dreamliner to 677.
Earlier in the day, Aviation Lease and Finance Co. of Kuwait announced its order of 10 787-8s. The 787 is the fastest selling of any Boeing model, with enough orders to fill up the manufacturing schedule through 2013.
The Kuwait deal is worth $1.62 billion and follows an order for 12 of the jets that the leasing company announced in March.
The Sharia-based leasing and finance company was the first Middle East customer to complete an order for the highly sought-after Dreamliner, and ALAFCO has successfully placed its first 12 787s with Kuwait Airways.
Scott Carson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive, was the host of a Saturday event at Seattle’s Harbor Club, where guest of honor Ahmad Alzabin, ALAFCO’s chairman and chief executive, signed the order for the additional airplanes.
“We’re proud to be the first Middle Eastern company to purchase the 787-8 and we’re extremely pleased to have quickly placed all of the 787s in our initial order with Kuwait Airways,” Alzabin said. “We have decided to move quickly on acquiring additional 787s as we see continued strong market demand for this revolutionary airplane and we wish to offer airlines the airplane that is setting new standards in operational efficiency and reliability.”
ALAFCO became a publicly traded company in October 2006. It has airplanes on lease with nine carriers worldwide.
“Our strong association with ALAFCO, as well as having 787s flying with Kuwait Airways, truly demonstrates Boeing’s focus in the Middle East market,” said Carson. “We are determined to build upon our regional relationships to establish an even stronger foundation for future business – one that will continue to focus on meeting our customers’ expectations and providing airplanes and services that help them be successful.”
On Friday, Qantas Airlines announced a commitment to buy 20 787s, but it has yet to make that a firm order.
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