Boeing

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group today confirmed a Jet Airways order for 10 Next-Generation 737-800s. The announcement was made at a joint press briefing at the Paris Air Show. The 10 airplanes are valued at approximately $550 million.

In 1996, Jet Airways ordered four 737-400s and six 737-800s, with the first of those airplanes delivered in 1997 and the remaining deliveries continuing through 2000. The new order will commence deliveries in 2001 and continue through 2003.

The 737-800 incorporates enhancements found in the other members of the Next-Generation 737 family (the 737-600, 737-700 and 737-900), including a redesigned passenger cabin, a flight deck featuring the most versatile display system offered on any commercial jetliner and improvements in operating performance.

Members of the Next-Generation 737 family of airplanes are capable of cruising to a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet and are the only single-aisle airplane models with flat-panel displays. These characteristics are part of the reason the Next-Generation 737 family members - designed for airline success and profit - are the most advanced airplanes in their category.

"This is a strategically important sale in India because of the significant growth we forecast for the domestic Indian market," said Seddik Belyamani, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group executive vice president - Sales and Marketing.

"We chose the Boeing 737 based on the superior reliability and comfort we have experienced with our current fleet of 737 aircraft," said Naresh Goyal, chairman - Jet Airways.

Founded in 1992, Jet Airways is India's largest and most successful private airline and currently operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet comprising 25 airplanes, including the Classic and Next-Generation models. Jet Airways was the first airline to introduce the 737-300/-400/-500 and the Next-Generation 737-700/-800 into the Indian aviation market. Jet Airway's purchase of the 737-800 was the first order for the Next-Generation 737 models in Southeast Asia.

Today there are 44 737s operating in India, making it the most popular airplane now in service in the India domestic market.

With this announcement, Boeing has received orders for more than 1,150 737-600/-700/-800/-900s since launch of the Next-Generation family in early 1994, thus making it the fastest-selling commercial airplane program in history.