Boeing

Singapore Airlines today celebrated the delivery of its 24th Boeing 777, one of two 777-200ER (extended range) airplanes that will be used to inaugurate the carrier's new Chicago-Amsterdam-Singapore route in August.

The delivery also commemorates the 17 twin-aisle Boeing airplanes that are being delivered to the world-class carrier this year, and takes place on the 29th anniversary of the first Singapore Airlines order for Boeing jetliners.

Attending the celebration were Bey Soo Khiang, Singapore Airlines executive vice president - technical; Sir Ralph Robins, Rolls-Royce plc chairman; Chan Heng Chee, Singapore ambassador to the United States; David Broom, British consul; Jay Brandes, U.S. Trade Advocacy Center director; Ray Conner, vice president-general manager of the Boeing 777 program, and more than 100 invited guests. Master of ceremonies was Larry Dickenson, senior vice president - Boeing Sales.

"This is a great opportunity to salute a world-class customer and premier operator of Boeing long-range airplanes," Dickenson said. "Since its first official order of Boeing jetliners 29 years ago, Singapore Airlines has become a leader in aviation innovation."

The first order by Singapore Airlines from Boeing on July 26, 1972, was for two Boeing 747-200s. Since then, the airline has placed orders for a total of 172 Boeing jetliners.

Today, Singapore Airlines operates 23 Boeing 777s and 38 Boeing 747-400s. In addition, the airline's subsidiary, SIA Cargo, operates nine 747-400 freighters, which set the standard in the air cargo marketplace, each carrying more than 120 tons of payload.

"Singapore Airlines' combination of 777 and 747 operations provides an excellent example of the current state-of-the-art in the long-range airplane business," Conner said. "The airline demands the best, and these two airplanes provide just that - setting the standard for passenger comfort and superior economics."

The 777 and 747 families are complementary solutions to the long-range market. Singapore Airlines' significant fleet of 747s and 777s provide the ultimate in flexibility to meet the demands of both long-distance and high-capacity routes.

SIA equips its 777s to accommodate from 288 to 332 passengers, depending upon the model.

In November 1995, SIA, in conjunction with leasing affiliate Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprises, placed the largest single order for 777s - a total of 77 airplanes, valued at $12.7 billion, segmented into 34 firm orders and 43 options. To date, SIA has placed a total of 58 firm orders for 777 models.

Singapore Airlines selected Rolls-Royce Trent 800 series engines to power its Boeing 777s.

As of July 26, 2001, 352 Boeing 777s have been delivered to customers around the world. The 777 family of airplanes has attracted nearly 580 orders from more than 30 customers.