Boeing, SpiceJet Finalize Order for 30 Next-Generation 737-800s
NEW DELHI, Nov 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Indian budget carrier, SpiceJet, announced an order for 30 Next-Generation 737-800s with winglets in the presence of U.S. President Obama late last week.
Valued at about $2.3 billion at list prices, SpiceJet had declared its intent to purchase Boeing's Next-Generation 737-800 in July this year. This order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's orders and deliveries website. SpiceJet currently operates a fleet of 24 Boeing 737-800s and 737-900ERs (extended range).
"SpiceJet is already operating a sizeable fleet of 737-800s and 737-900ERs and the new order underscores the airline's confidence in the airplane," said Dinesh Keskar, vice president of Boeing International and president of Boeing India.
"We are extremely satisfied with the Next-Generation 737 — an airplane that is reliable, allows for greater efficiency in maintenance and supports the business plan for low-cost carriers," said Neil Mills, chief executive officer, SpiceJet. "The aviation sector in India is recovering and business and leisure travel is on the rise. With the addition of the new 737s, it will help us expand SpiceJet's domestic network as well as support the launch of our international destinations."
Boeing will deliver SpiceJet's Next-Generation 737-800s with the all-new 737 Boeing Sky Interior. The interior promises to redefine the travel experience for SpiceJet passengers, who will enjoy the modern, sculpted sidewalls and window reveals and larger stow bins that are standard with the new interior.
The Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of improvements to the Next-Generation 737 family. The next to come is a package of performance improvements that will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 2 percent — making the airplane a full 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered. Performance improvements to the airframe and engine are beginning certification test soon, and will be fully in service by early 2012.
To-date more than 125 customers have placed orders for more than 5,600 Next-Generation 737s. Unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 exceed 2,100 airplanes valued at more than $160 billion at average list prices.
Source: BOEING
