Boeing

The Boeing Company confirmed today that National Airlines is acquiring four new Boeing 757-200 jetliners. GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) will provide the financing for these on an operating lease basis.

All four airplanes are scheduled for delivery in 2001. The airline also has announced plans to acquire yet another four 757-200s, bringing the total to eight.

"This is another great win in a string of recent successes for the 757," said Seddik Belyamani, executive vice president - Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group. "In today's environment of high fuel costs, high load factors and an increased emphasis on the passenger, the 757 is the right airplane for the times. So, interest in the 757 is running high right now."

The Las Vegas, Nev.-based airline is the fourth customer to announce acquisition of new Boeing 757s in the last two months. In May, American Airlines ordered 20 757-200s, JMC Airlines of the U.K. ordered two 757-300s and American Trans Air announced an intention to order 10 757-300s.

National's lease of the four 757-200s through GECAS was accounted for in cumulative order totals published recently by Boeing. Until this announcement, the customer for the order was listed as "unidentified."

National, which operates an all-757 fleet, serves several U.S. cities with non-stop flights to and from Las Vegas.