Three 737-700s, Two 777-300ERs, Three A330s

This week, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines added a handful of new Boeing and Airbus planes to its fleet, to strengthen its short- and- long-haul operations.

Boeing announced Wednesday KLM, part of the Air France/KLM Group, placed an order for additional 737 and 777 aircraft. The airline will add three 737-700s and two 777-300ERs to its fleet. As part of the agreement, KLM took options on one additional 737 and two additional 777s.

The order, worth approximately $716 million at catalog prices, was previously posted to the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web site and attributed to an unidentified customer.

With Wednesday's announcement, the airline has six 777-300ERs on direct order with Boeing and is scheduled to take delivery of its first of this model in the first quarter of 2008. KLM currently operates a fleet of 15 777-200ERs in a combination of leases and direct purchases.

"KLM and Boeing enjoy a long-standing and productive partnership through programs in engineering, maintenance and flight operations. Together, we work for the most optimal utilization of Boeing products in KLM's fleet," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "KLM's expansion and renewal program demonstrates their commitment to improving fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact, a commitment that Boeing shares."

KLM also signed on the dotted line for two Airbus A330-200s, bringing the airline's total A330 fleet to 12 aircraft. These new A330s will play a major role in KLM's long-term fleet renewal and future expansion, according to Airbus, and will mainly serve on intercontinental routes.

"With the excellent record of the A330 in terms of economics and efficiency, this order for two additional A330 aircraft was a natural choice. These aircraft perfectly fulfill our expectations in terms of passenger comfort and optimized operational costs, and are an excellent investment to further strengthen our market position," Peter Hartman, president & CEO of KLM, said.

"We greatly value our partnership with KLM, and are happy to strengthen it further while accompanying the airline in its fleet renewal and growth strategy," said Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy.

FMI: www.airbus.com, www.boeing.com, www.klm.com