First Scandinavian Operator to Invest in Blended Winglet Technology

Known in Scandinavia as the "Ikea of Flight," Sterling is trying to  help solidify its advantage in the low-fare airline arena by investing in Blended Winglet TM Technology. The carrier's first Blended Winglet Equipped 737-800s, provided by Boullion, went into service Nov 2003 and the second will follow in March. An additional 2 Performance Enhanced 737-800s, provided by CIT Leasing, will arrive on the flight line April and May of 2004.

Sterling will save an average of 104,000 US gallons of jet fuel per year with each of its Blended Winglet Equipped 800s. Associated Environmental benefits include carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide reductions of 3.5% and 4.5% respectively. A particularly significant Blended Winglet advantage for Sterling, however, will be the ability to fly from Stockholm to Las Palmas, Canary Islands and back all in one crew duty day.

"By trading the Blended Winglet fuel mileage benefit for additional speed, Sterling will be able to fly its 737-800s at the same fuel burn yet shave at least 12 minutes off each direction between Stockholm and Las Palmas (2328 nm)," says Aviation Partners Boeing Sales and Marketing Director for Europe Patrick LaMoria. "This not only represents a new Blended Winglet benefit but a huge cost savings in that the same crew can be utilized for departure and return trips. Previously, a second crew had to be staged in the Canary Islands to bring the aircraft back to Stockholm."

Sterling is considering retrofitting its existing fleet of eight 737-800s/700s with Aviation Partners Boeing patented (*) Blended Winglet Technology. "We welcome Sterling into the Blended Winglet Family and look forward to a long-term relationship with this highly regarded and innovative low fare carrier," says Aviation Partners Boeing Vice President of Sales Sheldon Best. "We're pleased that Sterling has discovered yet another unique advantage of Blended Winglet Technology!"

By the end of 2004 more than half of the delivered 737-700s & 800s will be equipped with Blended Winglet Technology.

FMI: www.aviationpartnersboeing.com