Boeing

Boullioun Aviation Services, a valued Boeing customer for more than 13 years, took delivery yesterday of its first Boeing Next Generation 737-800. It is the first of three 737-800s the company is leasing to City Bird S.A. of Brussels, which flew the first airplane home immediately after delivery.

Boullioun, one of the world's premier leasing companies, leases aircraft worldwide to airlines for itself and in collaboration with its affiliate, Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (S.A.L.E.), in which it holds a 35.5 percent stake. Since 1994, the two companies have ordered 64 Boeing airplanes, plus options. Boullioun, founded in 1986 by aviation industry veteran E.H. "Tex" Boullioun, is owned by Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (WestLB) of Düsseldorf/Münster, Germany.

"Boullioun recognizes the value of the 737 family," said Boullioun President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Genise. "We are delighted to place our first Boeing 737-800 with City Bird, a valued and long-standing customer."

The 737-800, which can fly up to 2,905 nautical miles (5,380 kilometers) in a one-class configuration, features an all-new, spacious Boeing 777-style interior. It has the most advanced-design technology in the single-aisle market, such as an all-new wing and updated liquid-crystal displays in the flight deck.

"The 737 continues to be the best-selling airplane in its class," said Nicole Piasecki, vice president, Sales, Leasing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Boullioun has recognized its workhorse qualities and has made it one of the mainstays of the company's leasing strategy."

The 737-800 offers higher capacity than competing models, presenting airlines with the opportunity to achieve better value for their customers. The higher cruising altitude and significantly better range of the 737-800 are added advantages.