Boeing

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today at the Farnborough International Airshow a commitment by Avolon to purchase 10 737 MAX 8s and 5 737 MAX 9s, as well as 10 Next-Generation 737-800s. The commitment has a list-price value of $2.3 billion and also includes reconfirmation rights for 5 more 737 MAX airplanes.

Boeing looks forward to working with the Dublin-based lessor to finalize the details of the agreement, at which time the airplanes will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website as a firm order.

"Boeing has shared a partnership with Avolon from the beginning," said Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Avolon has a significant and strategic role to play in the aviation finance industry and we welcome them as one of the launch lessors of the 737 MAX. With rising fuel costs, the 737-800 and 737 MAX enable Avolon to offer their customers unsurpassed fuel efficiency today and well into the future."

The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 percent fuel burn improvement over today's most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes and an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow's competition.

"Today's announcement once again reflects both the scale of our ambition and the strength of our financial backing," said Domhnal Slattery, CEO of Avolon. "It also reflects our commitment to our customers as we enhance our fleet, grow our business and continue to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders."

Once this commitment is finalized, Avolon's backlog will grow to 36 737s.

About Avolon

Headquartered in Ireland, with offices in Stamford CT, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Dubai, Avolon provides aircraft leasing and lease management services. Avolon's investors include three of the world's leading private equity firms Cinven, CVC Capital Partners and Oak Hill Capital Partners and one of the world's leading sovereign wealth funds, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC).

Avolon has established itself as one of the leading global players in the aircraft leasing sector, leveraging off the strong financial backing of its owners and the extensive trading history and senior industry relationships of its management team. The primary asset focus of the business is on young fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and A330 families, the Boeing 737NG, 737 MAX, 777 and 787 families; and, the Embraer 190 family. Avolon has a committed fleet of 135 aircraft serving 32 customers in 20 countries. Avolon's fleet is also the youngest large lessor fleet in the world. See www.avolon.aero.

Contact:
Tim Bader
North America/Leasing Communications
1 206-859-3633
tim.s.bader@boeing.com

More information: http://www.boeing.com/newairplane//737max/

Photo and caption are available here: http://boeing.mediaroom.com

SOURCE Boeing