Carrier Orders 15 Add'l Pairs For 767-300ERs

Aviation Partners Boeing announced Monday the company secured an order for 15 additional winglet systems for installation on Delta Air Lines' fleet of Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. With the expanded order, Delta now plans to install Blended Winglets on 30 767-300 aircraft by early 2010. Delta also has options to retrofit the remainder of its entire 767-300ER fleet with winglets.

"We're immensely pleased that most of our early delivery positions are now committed," said Aviation Partners Boeing CEO John Reimers. "As a result of this order Delta will have one of the lowest cost operations in the highly competitive trans-Atlantic and South American markets."

Aviation Partners tells ANN its Blended Winglets provide the 767-300ER with the capability to operate on routes that previously could only be served by larger aircraft. With 350 nautical miles of added range and a payload improvement of up to 90 passengers on routes of 6,300 nautical miles, the aircraft gains significant flexibility for long-range point-to-point service. Substantial takeoff weight capability improvements add to that flexibility.

Delta's order positions the airline to install winglets on 20 767-300ER aircraft by March 2009, with 30 installations completed by early 2010.

"Blended Winglets are a creative technical solution for cost savings and revenue enhancements simultaneously," says Reimers. "APB is especially proud that our technology visibly shows that profitability and environmental responsibility can coexist in a single device."

Aviation Partners Boeing now has orders for more than 100 767-300ER Blended Winglet systems, which are scheduled for certification in November 2008. Providing block fuel savings of up to 6%, added range, and improved takeoff performance and payload measured in tons, the Winglets provide operators with previously unavailable market opportunities. Environmental benefits including significantly lower carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions and reduced takeoff noise create an equally obvious solution for airlines seeking to make environmentally responsible choices.

Today over 1900 Boeing aircraft have been equipped with Blended Winglets, and are in service with over 100 airlines in more than 40 countries. By 2010, with over 4500 aircraft upgraded, APB anticipates that Blended Winglet Technology will have saved commercial airlines over two billion gallons of fuel.

FMI: www.aviationpartnersboeing.com