Thu, Mar 06, 2003
Replacing Venerable DC-9s
Boeing and AeroMexico have formally announced contracts that
will provide Mexico's largest airline 15 Boeing 737-700s with
winglets. The transactions will help significantly reduce the
carrier's operating costs.
"One of the principal reasons for this order is to add airplanes
with the latest-generation technology to our fleet," said Arturo
Barahona, chief operating officer of AeroMexico. "These new
airplanes will make our operations more flexible and improve our
route coverage."
By replacing its fleet of 15 DC-9s with 737-700s, Aeromexico
will reduce the average age of its fleet from 15.9 years to
10.7 years. The operational efficiencies and reduced
maintenance needs of the Boeing 737 will help lower operational
costs and improve profitability. The 737 has the highest
reliability of any airplane in its class, which means fewer delays
and greater satisfaction for passengers.
In one of the contracts, a sale-leaseback arrangement with
Boeing, AeroMexico will lease six of the jets from Lombard Aviation
Capital and the other five from International Lease Finance
Corporation (ILFC). This arrangement will enable AeroMexico to
operate the new airplanes at a lower annual cost. The contract is
accounted for on Boeing's orders Web site for 2002 and was
previously attributed to an unidentified customer.
In the other contract, AeroMexico will take four
additional 737-700s directly from ILFC for a total of 15 737-700s
valued at approximately $500 million.
Lombard Aviation Capital will deliver the first airplane in
October, with remaining deliveries continuing through 2004. All 15
737-700s will be equipped with winglets - 8-foot-high wingtip
extensions - that reduce fuel consumption up to 3.5 percent,
increase range up to 450 nautical miles from hot, high-altitude
airports such as Mexico City, and reduce engine maintenance
costs. The winglets also help operators such as AeroMexico
meet stringent low-noise regulations by reducing takeoff noise.
"We're gratified AeroMexico has decided to remain an all-Boeing
operator," said John Wojick, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice
president of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean. "The new
737 is the most modern and technologically advanced airplane in its
class. Its new fleet will help AeroMexico remain an industry
leader."
The Boeing 737 is the best selling single-aisle airplane in the
world.
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