Three Firm Orders, Options For Two More
Aero-News learned Thursday that Boeing and Sky Airlines of
Turkey have signed an order for three Boeing Next-Generation
737-900ERs with advanced-technology Blended Winglets. With the
order, Sky Airlines becomes the first European carrier to order the
737-900ER model, which Boeing launched in 2005 as a
higher-capacity, longer-range complement to its single-aisle 737
family of airplanes.
In addition, Sky Airlines secured purchase right options for two
additional 737-900ERs, which it can exercise at a later date if it
chooses.
"I am delighted that Sky Airlines will be the first European and
first Turkish carrier to purchase and operate the 737-900ER," said
Marlin Dailey, senior vice president for Sales for Europe, Russia
and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Today's order
represents Sky Airline's leadership as well as its faith and
confidence in the quality of Boeing products.
The order is valued at $226 million at list prices. Deliveries
are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2009. These
airplanes had been carried on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web
site attributed to an unidentified customer.
Sky Airlines, based in Antalya, Turkey, will use the new
airplanes for fleet replacement as well as fleet growth. Sky
Airlines already operates a fleet of six 737-400s and one 737-800.
Sky Airlines is a leader in the Turkish tourism industry, its
business focused largely on bringing European travelers to
beach-vacation destinations and resorts in Turkey.
"This model of the Boeing 737 has more seats than our fleet
today. It's exactly what we need to meet the growing demand in
Turkey for safe and inexpensive air travel," said Talha Gorgulu,
chairman of Sky Airlines and the KayiGroup, which owns Sky
Airlines. "We fly the 737-800 today, so we're very familiar with
the 737 family. The 737-900ER offers commonality advantages that
also allow us to operate more efficiently and economically. We can
leverage that in terms of profit and lower fares for our
passengers."
Boeing reports the 737 continues to be a very popular aircraft
for Turkish airlines, with more 737s are operated in Turkey than
any other model - 33 737 Classics and 57 Next-Generation 737s.
"This order also demonstrates the continued growth of the
Turkish market. It is becoming very clear that as Turkey's economy
develops, the demand for commercial air travel, low-cost options
and integrated-tour packages will continue to rise to unprecedented
levels. Boeing will of course be there, as we always have, to meet
the needs of our airline customers," Boeing's Dailey added.
The Boeing 737-900ER is the largest member of the 737 airplane
family and can carry more passengers and fly farther than the
737-900. The ultimate derivative of the venerable 737 line seats up
to 215 passengers and flies up to 3,200 nautical miles, making the
range comparable to the 737-800. Blended Winglets enable an
additional 3 to 5 percent in fuel efficiency.
The 737 is the most popular airliner in history, with more than
6,100 sold. Unfilled orders for the 737 exceed 1,200 airplanes,
worth about $85 billion at current list prices.
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