Boeing

Jet Airways today received its first Boeing 737-900, becoming the first South Asian operator of the largest member of the Next-Generation 737 family. The new airplane is scheduled to arrive this week in Delhi, India, the same week as Jet Airways' 10th anniversary celebration.

This delivery also makes Jet Airways the first airline outside of the United States to operate the three largest models of the Next-Generation 737 family -- the 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900.

"Since our beginning in 1993, our mission has been to become the most preferred domestic airline in the country by providing high quality and reliable air travel in India," said Naresh Goyal, founder and chairman -- Jet Airways. "The 737 family fits well into our plan because of its advanced technology, extremely high reliability and unmatched level of comfort."

The airline has been recognized for its innovations and quality of service with numerous awards from many distinguished domestic and international organizations. Boeing Commercial Airplanes recognized Jet Airways for attaining a fleetwide dispatch reliability record of more than 99 percent for 2002, demonstrating high dependability in the airline's operations. Only a few months earlier, the airline also was awarded Businessworld magazine's prestigious "Most Respected Company for 2003" award.

"It is a stunning achievement for an airline that began with four 737s to grow, within a relatively short time, into one that operates 42 aircraft," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Sales and president of Boeing Aircraft Trading -- Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "I am extremely proud that our 737 family of airplanes has been an integral part of Jet Airways' growth and success within the past 10 years and I am very much looking forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship well into the future."

The operating economics of the fuel efficient 737-900 set the airplane apart from the competition and make it a winner in any market segment. Capable of holding 189 passengers in a one-class configuration, the 737-900's increased seating capacity gives the 737-900 the lowest operating costs per seat of any single-aisle airplane in its class.

Jet Airways' new airplane is configured with 32 business class seats and economy seating for 138 passengers.

With a fleet of 34 737s and eight ATR turboprops, Jet Airways flies more than 250 daily flights to 41 destinations throughout India. The airline has one of the youngest fleets in the world.