Boeing

The Boeing Company today confirmed Singapore Airlines' intent to order 10 777-200s with options for 10 more. According to Singapore Airlines, the order is valued at approximately $4 billion.

The 777's unmatched economics and range provide unlimited possibilities to its operators. With its faster speed, the 777 family of airplanes has shorter trip times than its competitor.

"Singapore Airlines is a market leader with a worldwide reputation for quality service and operations," said Ray Conner, vice president - Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This announcement continues to validate the 777 as the mainstay of Singapore Airlines and confirms the 777 as a passenger favorite and the most technologically-advanced airplane in the industry."

SIA previously ordered 61 777s in November 1995 as part of a 77-plane order that included 16 airplanes for its leasing associate, Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise. With this latest order, the number of 777s in operation on firm order and on option will total 81 to SIA.

"In terms of capacity, the 777 is a larger airplane than the A310 and therefore not a direct replacement in terms of size, but it offers us the flexibility to use the airplane on both the shorter-haul services currently operated by the A310, as well as on the longer sectors," said SIA Deputy Chairman and CEO Cheong Choong Kong. "We already are operating 18 777s in our fleet and can therefore take advantage of economies of scale in terms of spares and maintenance costs."

Passengers prefer the 777 as the most comfortable airplane compared to other airplanes in its class. Studies have shown that the 777 also is preferred by operators, flight crews, cabin attendants and ramp attendants.

The 777 is the fastest selling twin-aisle airplane ever, with the year 2000 being a record year for the most 777s sold -117 airplanes - in a single year.

The 777 family of airplanes has more than 30 customers worldwide having ordered 563 airplanes.

For more information, visit the Boeing website at http://www.boeing.com or the Singapore Airlines website at http://www.singaporeair.com/, and go to news releases,