British Airways and Boeing Announce New Orders
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group confirmed today at the Paris Air Show that British Airways has ordered five Boeing 777 and three 767 jetliners worth an estimated $1 billion.
Boeing will deliver the 767s next April and May, bringing British Airways' 767 fleet to 28 aircraft. Deliveries of 777s will follow in September and continue at a pace of one a July from January to April 1999 when British Airways' 777 fleet will number 23.
"We're delighted with this order and proud of the success British Airways has had with our products," said Ron Woodard, president Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. "Through the years our relationship has grown into a partnership that has benefitted both our companies enormously," he added.
The 777s will be powered by General Electric GE90 engines, while Rolls-Royce RB211-524 engines will power the 767s.
Rolls-Royce engines have powered many of the jetliners delivered by Boeing to British Airways. This order reaffirms British Airways' position as the UK manufacturer's largest civil customer.
During 1996, orders for Boeing airplanes like this one generated more than 60,000 man-years of work across Europe, including about 18,000 in the United Kingdom.
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