Better Efficiency For Its Next-Gen 737s
Alaska Airlines Monday announced it
has ordered 25 sets of performance-enhancing winglets from Aviation
Partners Boeing.
The advanced-technology "Blended Winglets" will be installed on
Alaska's Next Generation B737-800 aircraft scheduled for delivery
in 2005 and retrofitted on their Next Generation 737-700 aircraft
currently in operation.
The agreement between Alaska and Aviation Partners Boeing
includes options to purchase additional sets of winglets for future
737-700 and 737-800 deliveries.
Retrofitting of the airline's Boeing 737-700 fleet will be done
by Goodrich Aviation Technical Services in Everett (WA), as the
aircraft complete routine heavy maintenance checks. Winglets on new
737-800 aircraft will be factory installed by Boeing.
Blended Winglets Technology will improve the performance and
payload capability of Alaska jets, while providing significant cost
savings through greater fuel efficiency. Winglet-equipped aircraft
also are more environmentally friendly, offering a 6.5 percent
reduction in takeoff noise and significantly reduced engine
emissions.
"Blended Winglets enable us to save fuel, reduce noise, deliver
better service and reduce costs during a very challenging time for
the airline industry," said Alaska Airlines Executive Vice
President of Operations George Bagley.
"With fuel prices at record highs, and not much relief in sight,
investing in Blended Winglet Technology is a way for airlines to
permanently hedge future fuel costs as measurable fuel savings
continue through the life of the aircraft," said Mike Marino, CEO
of Aviation Partners Boeing.
Winglets save fuel by reducing drag, which allow aircraft to fly
at cruise speed with reduced engine power.
With an average annual aircraft utilization rate of 4,000 hours,
winglets are expected to reduce the fuel burn of Alaska's Boeing
737s by 120,000 gallons, or 3.5 percent, per year.
Winglets also will enhance customer service by virtually
eliminating the need for the airline to restrict passenger loads on
transcontinental flights encountering strong headwinds.
"We're very pleased that a customer in our own backyard has
chosen to adopt our Blended Winglet Technology," says Craig
McCallum, sales director of Aviation Partners Boeing. "This
important sale is yet another testimonial that Blended Winglet
Technology works."