Boeing

Khalifa Airways, based in Algiers, Algeria, has become the newest member to join the Boeing 777 family of operators by signing a 5-year agreement with Boeing Aircraft Trading to lease two 777-200 jetliners.

The Khalifa 777s will be powered by GE90 engines and are scheduled for delivery in November and December 2002. Marking this milestone event was a celebration attended by Khalifa Airways' President Director General Rafik Abdelmoumem Khelifa, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally, and Boeing Aircraft Trading President Dinesh Keskar.

Upon meeting with Khelifa, Mulally personally welcomed the new 777 operator.

"We are so pleased to have one of the fastest growing independent airlines in Africa joining our 777 family," Mulally said. "We look forward to working together with Khalifa Airways, as it continues to expand its network operations and enhance its passenger services with their 777s."

Khalifa Airways will be applying its new 777-200s in connecting Algeria to various African, European and transatlantic destinations. The Khalifa 777, with 240 seats -- 22 in first class, 70 in business class and the remainder in economy class -- has the spacious award-winning "Boeing Signature Interior" that was designed to provide maximum comfort to passengers on longer intercontinental flights. The passenger cabin features larger overhead stowage bins that are designed to open downward for convenient loading, and the high ceiling provides passengers a more spacious, open environment.

A survey of thousands of passengers flying long-range routes around the world in first, business and economy classes revealed an overwhelming preference for the 777. The worldwide survey, conducted in 1999 and 2000, found that more than three out of four passengers worldwide who had flown aboard both the 777 and competing airliners preferred the Boeing 777.

The airlines also have made the 777 their airplane of choice in its class. In fact, the 777 has operating economics unmatched by the competition. The 777 is the best-selling aircraft in its class with 606 on order and more than 400 in service around the world.