Comair Purchases Maintenance Performance Toolbox
An order for eight Next-Generation 737-800s has been placed with
Boeing by Comair Limited, which will use its new 737s to update the
fleet of Comair's low-fare airline, kulula.com. The airplanes are
valued at approximately $646 million at current list prices. The
order previously was attributed to an unidentified customer on
Boeing's orders and deliveries website.
Launched in 2001 as South Africa's first low-fare carrier,
kulula.com currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of ten 737s,
including three leased 737-800s. Comair also operates as a
franchise partner of British Airways, with thirteen 737 airplanes
flying domestically in South Africa and regionally in Southern
Africa.
"The purchase of new Boeing 737-800s is historic for our company
and gives all our 1,800 staff a great feeling of pride," said Gidon
Novick, joint CEO of Comair Ltd, announcing the order Wednesday.
"The new fleet is an essential part of our efficiency drive, which
will not only give us a cost leadership position in our industry,
but also provide our customers with exceptional levels of
reliability and comfort with the spacious new interior."
In addition to its 737-800 order, Comair is purchasing the
Maintenance Performance Toolbox from Boeing Commercial Aviation
Services. The Maintenance Performance Toolbox improves an airline's
fleet efficiency by integrating manufacturer and customer
documentation, use of intelligent graphics, cross-document
searching and linking aircraft fault data to specific maintenance
actions. It also provides a comprehensive structural repair history
for each airplane while reducing the time needed to find
tail-specific technical information in time-critical situations,
such as line maintenance troubleshooting and dispatch.
"Comair is an amazing success story, as this airline company has
posted operating profits each year since it was founded in 1946,"
said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales and Marketing for
Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Today's order demonstrates the value
the 737-800 has already brought to its fleet and the confidence
Comair has in this airplane."
Comair operates nearly 800 flights each week on its South
African and regional routes, and is among the airlines that
recently transported thousands of fans and football players
throughout South Africa for the World Cup.