Boeing

Hawaiian Airlines announced an intent to order 13 Boeing 717-200 regional jets, with rights to purchase an additional seven 717-200s, The Boeing Company confirmed today. The value of the 13 airplanes is approximately $430 million.

Delivery of the first Hawaiian 717-200 will be in February 2001, with the remainder scheduled for delivery in the same year. When delivered, the 717s will replace Hawaiian Airlines' 15 DC-9s, and will join 12 DC-10s, thus maintaining Hawaiian Airlines' commitment to flying an all-Boeing fleet.

"Seventy years ago, our company ushered in a new era in Hawaii with the introduction of inter-island air travel," said Paul J. Casey, Hawaiian's president and chief executive officer. "Just as our eight-passenger Sikorsky amphibians were state-of-the-art in 1929, our new 717s will be the most advanced aircraft flying in Hawaii. The 717 is the airplane everyone will want to fly."

Hawaiian Airlines will configure its new airplanes to carry 123 passengers - eight in first class and 115 in economy.

"We are pleased that Hawaiian Airlines has chosen the 717 to fly its inter-island network," said Doug Groseclose, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group vice president - South Asia/Pacific, Africa, and Middle East Sales. "The 717 has the latest technology and offers the widest economy seats of any single-aisle airplane. Combined with Hawaiian Airlines' award-winning service, the 717 will set new standards for inter-island travel. Too, the 717 is an environmentally friendly airplane, and this order is good news for the people of Hawaii."

The Honolulu-based carrier was established in 1929 and celebrates its 70th anniversary this November. Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline based in Hawaii, and serves 14 domestic and international destinations in the Pacific region.

The Boeing 717 twinjet is a cost-effective airplane designed to serve high-frequency, short- to medium-range routes.

Originally launched as the MD-95 in October 1995, the airplane was designated the Boeing 717 following the merger of McDonnell Douglas and The Boeing Company in 1997. Launch customer AirTran Airways will take delivery of the first 717-200 on Sept. 23, 1999. Bavaria International Aircraft Leasing Co., Pembroke Capital Ltd., and Trans World Airlines have announced additional 717 orders.

With a wing span of 93.3 feet (28.4 meters) and overall length of 124 feet (37.8 meters), the 717 is similar in size and configuration to the DC-9 Series 30, its highly successful predecessor that continues to offer regional airline service around the world. Nonstop range goes up to 1,750 statute miles (1,521 n.mi./2,817 km).

Two advanced BMW/Rolls-Royce BR715 high-bypass-ratio engines power the 717. The BR715 engine is rated at 18,500 to 21,000 pounds of takeoff thrust, with lower fuel consumption and significantly lower noise and emission levels than the power plants on comparable airplanes.

The 717 flight-test program began in September 1998 and was successfully completed in August 1999. Four test airplanes, including the first and second production models, recorded more than 2,000 flight hours.

The 717 is the first commercial airplane to receive a Concurrent and Cooperative Certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities.

To date, there are 115 orders and 110 options for the 717-200. The Hawaiian Airlines orders will be added to the Boeing order book when a definitive agreement is signed.