Airline Agrees To Purchase Four 7E7-8s, Valued At $500
Million
Boeing confirmed that Vietnam
Airlines has formally selected the 7E7 Dreamliner as its future
mid-sized, twin aisle jetliner. The carrier plans to take delivery
of four 7E7-8s during 2010. The value of the airplanes is estimated
at $500 million at list prices.
Vietnam Airlines, the national air carrier of the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam, becomes the eighth announced customer for the
7E7, which was launched in April 2004 with an order of 50 airplanes
by ANA of Japan. Vietnam Airlines will participate on the 7E7
launch team.
"Vietnam Airlines joins a growing roster of Asian carriers who
have chosen the 7E7 to gain its competitive advantages," said Larry
Dickenson, vice president, Sales -- Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"The highly fuel-efficient and comfortable 7E7 is the perfect
airplane for Vietnam Airlines as it prepares to expand its business
with the world's most technologically advanced airplane."
Customer announced orders and commitments for the 7E7 now total
126 airplanes, including 56 under firm contract. Negotiations
remain underway with a number of key airlines worldwide. Boeing and
Vietnam Airlines expect to finalize the 7E7 order in the first
quarter of 2005.
Vietnam Airlines plans to use the 7E7-8 to expand its route
system and to replace some existing airplanes. The airline has not
made an engine selection.
"We are looking forward to becoming a Boeing 7E7 operator," said
Nguyen Xuan Hien, president and CEO - Vietnam Airlines. "The 7E7-8
will allow Vietnam Airlines to further develop our route structure
to include city pairs that would otherwise not be financially
viable, while providing increased comfort to our passengers."
Boeing jetliners comprise Vietnam
Airlines' entire long range fleet. The carrier operates six
777-200ERs and four 767-300ERs. Four of the 777s have been
purchased directly from Boeing, the remaining two 777s and the 767s
are leased.
Vietnam Airlines has a significant international route system,
connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to major world cities
including Moscow, Paris, Beijing, Sydney and Melbourne, Seoul,
Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Manila and many others.
The 7E7-8 Dreamliner will carry around 217 passengers in a
tri-class configuration on routes of 8,500 nautical miles (15,700
kilometers). The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for
comparable missions than any similarly sized airplane and will also
travel at speeds similar to today's fastest wide bodies, Mach
0.85.
Passengers will see improvements with the new airplane interior
with higher humidity and increased comfort and convenience, a
result of the all-new composite fuselage. Airlines will enjoy
approximately 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity.
General Electric and Rolls-Royce are developing the engines for
the new airplane, which will feature a standardized engine
interface, allowing either manufacturer's engines to be installed
at any time on the airplane. The new engines are expected to
contribute as much as eight percent of the increased efficiency of
the new airplane.