Allegiant Orders Wing Mods For 757s, Air China For 737s

Air China and Allegiant Air have both Blended Winglets for current and future Boeing airplanes.

Air China B737 With Winglets

Air China will have the winglets installed on 30 Boeing Next Generation 737 aircraft which deliver beginning in 2011. "Air China wants to lead the way in China's efforts to reduce pollutant emissions, save fuel and improve aircraft operational capabilities," says Aviation Partners Boeing CEO John Reimers. "Blended Winglets are a visible reminder of the commitment to do just that."

Air China's investment in Blended Winglets will reduce fuel requirements while improving payload capability. Their experience operating with Blended Winglets has convinced the airline that the technology is effective and enduring. Designed to the same criteria as the aircraft, Blended Winglets will continue to provide benefits for the entire life of the aircraft.

"Air China's sophisticated operations clearly take full advantage of an investment in Blended Winglets," says Reimers. "Air China sees beyond the cost of the purchase and focuses more on the long-lasting benefits which Winglets provide."

Air China projects it will save more than 3,000,000 gallons (11,355,000 litres) of jet fuel annually with this order, eliminating 29,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Allegiant Air has ordered six shipsets of Aviation Partners Boeing 757-200 Blended Winglets, and the first installations have commenced at ATS in Everett, Washington, and Flightstar in Jacksonville, Florida. "This order gives Allegiant Air the opportunity to put our product into service and experience the incredible value that Blended Winglet technology is generating for other airlines worldwide," says Aviation Partners Boeing CEO John Reimers.

B757-200

Blended Winglet performance-enhanced 757-200s will be used for Allegiant Air's planned ETOPS (Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operations) flights to Hawaii, among other potential routes. Allegiant Air projects that Blended Winglet Technology can save the average 757-200 operator approximately 225,000 gallons  of fuel per aircraft per year. Enhanced takeoff performance from the installation of Blended Winglets will offer Allegiant Air potential for significantly improved passenger payloads on long haul flights. Added range capability, another important plus of Blended Winglet Technology, will also give Allegiant Air improved fuel margins on extended range operations. Further, Blended Winglet can reduce engine maintenance costs and also offer important eco-friendly attributes including reduced emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide on the order of 5%.

"We look forward to soon serving the Hawaii market with our newly purchased Boeing 757 aircraft," Allegiant CEO and Chairman Maurice J. Gallagher Jr. commented. "We appreciate the cost-savings that APB and its Blended Winglets product will provide for this new service and look forward to sharing this value with our customers."

FMI: www.aviationpartnersboeing.com