Boeing, Air Austral Announce Order for Two Next-Generation 737-800s

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SEATTLE, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air Austral announced an order for two Next-Generation 737-800s. The order is valued at $152 million at list prices.

The two 737-800s will be the airline's first of this model, replacing one 737-300 and one 737-500 in the airline's fleet.

"The Boeing 737-800 is the natural choice for the modernization of our medium haul fleet," said Gerard Etheve, president of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Air Austral. "Our pilots and technicians with experience on our 737 Classics will be able to transition smoothly to these new additions to our fleet."

Air Austral, headquartered in St. Denis, Reunion, a French Department island located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, operates regional routes to Mauritius, Madagascar, South Africa, Mayotte, Seychelles and Comoros. The carrier also operates long haul routes to Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse in mainland France and to Australia and New Caledonia with a fleet of 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 777-200ER exclusively.

"The 737-800 provides the right capacity and economy for Air Austral's routes," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We look forward to continuing our 20-year strong relationship with Air Austral that began with the 737 Classic."

The Next-Generation 737 is the newest and most technologically advanced airplane in its class. The 737-800 flies higher, faster and farther, and seats more passengers than previous models. In addition, its flight deck features the latest liquid-crystal flat-panel displays and is designed to accommodate new communications and flight-management capabilities.

Source: BOEING