Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Friday, 24 June 2011 02:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Boeing and Kuala Lumpur-based Malaysia Airlines have announced the airline has exercised an option to purchase 10 additional Next-Generation 737-800s.
The order is valued at more than $800 million at current list prices and was previously posted on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer.
The airline still has purchase rights for an additional 10 Next-Generation 737-800s remaining from its initial 2008 contract.
Today’s announcement was made at the Paris Air Show by Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Sales Marlin Dailey and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Tengku Dato’ Sri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal, the Malaysian Ambassador to France, was also in Paris for the signing ceremony.
“Today we celebrate Malaysia Airlines as key member of the Next-Generation 737 family of operators and we welcome this occasion to strengthen our long-term relationship with a valued partner,” Dailey said.
“The selection of the Next –Generation 737 to support the airline’s strategic fleet modernisation plan reinforces the superior economics of the most fuel efficient single-aisle airplane operating in today’s market.”
Malaysia Airlines 737-800s are the first in Asia to sport the passenger-pleasing “Boeing Sky Interior” and are fitted with Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency by up to four percent, increase flying range, and reduce CO2 emissions and takeoff noise.
“The option we exercised today marks another step in Malaysia Airlines’ mission to strengthen and build upon the airline’s award-winning service and passenger value, efforts that support the company’s business transformation strategy to profitable operation,” said Tengku Azmil.
“Boeing’s Next-Generation 737, with its economic advantages, including unmatched fuel efficiency, is the right airplane to support our business and our customers.”
The digitally designed Next-Generation 737 is the most technologically advanced airplane family in the single-aisle market. The 737-800, which can seat from 162 to 189 passengers, is 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) lighter, can fly 482 kilometers (260 nautical miles) farther and 335 meters (1,100 feet) higher while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.
Malaysia Airlines, with a 64-year history as the national carrier of Malaysia, operates a mixed fleet of short- and long-haul airplanes, including Boeing 747 passenger and freighter, 777, 737-800s and Classic 737 airplanes. The airline flies nearly 45,000 passengers daily to more than 100 destinations worldwide.
