Boeing

Arkia Israeli Airlines, Ltd., took delivery of its first Boeing 757-300 jetliner earlier this week. The Israel-based carrier is the second airline to operate the newest medium-to-long-range, single-aisle commercial twinjet.

"Arkia is excited to be the newest member of the 757-300 family," said Prof. Israel (Izzy) Borovich, president and chief executive officer, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Ltd. "We plan to use the 757-300 to expand our routes and offer more international charter flights connecting with England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey and Spain."

Arkia executives attended a delivery ceremony at Boeing Field in Renton, Wash., before flying the new airplane home to Tel Aviv. Arkia operates charter, scheduled domestic passenger and cargo services. Boeing is scheduled to deliver a second 757-300 to Arkia within the next few weeks.

"Boeing is proud to be a part of Arkia's success and dynamic growth by offering an airplane with the lowest operating cost and highest reliability in its class," said Tom Bassachi, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group, vice president - European Sales.

Boeing launched the 757-300 -- a derivative of the 757-200 -- in 1996. The 757-300 jetliner offers fuel efficiency, top economic performance and low noise levels.

The 757-300 is 23 feet, 4 inches (7.1 meters) longer than the 757-200, allowing it to carry 20 percent more passengers with 50 percent more cargo capacity. Besides the lengthened fuselage, the airplane has a new interior and avionics upgrades.

The first Boeing 757-300 was delivered in March 1999 to launch customer Condor Flugdienst, a German charter carrier operating seven 757-300s in its fleet.