The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] delivered a Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 to Tianjin-based Okay Airways Company Ltd., the Peoples‘ Republic of China’s first private airline. The new airplane, which is the seventh 737 in Okay Airways‘ fleet, is under lease from AWAS (Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services).
This 737-800 is the first new-airplane delivery for Okay Airways and the first new-airplane delivery in four years for AWAS, an aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland.
„Okay Airways selected the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 to provide the optimum in safety, reliability and economics,“ said Liu Jieyin, president of Okay Airways. „We believe that the Next-Generation 737-800 is the best airplane to meet passenger needs and generate profits for the company, while offering lower ticket prices and benefiting our customers.“
Okay’s 737-800 will be used primarily in passenger service, initially for routes such as Tianjin to Kunming, Changsha, Zhang Jiajie, Guilin, Hohhot, Taiyuan and Harbin, followed by other routes as the fleet expands.
„We are very proud of our relationship with Okay Airways, which is yet another milestone in our 90-year history with China,“ said Rob Laird, vice president, China and East Asia Sales – Boeing Commercial Airplanes. „China’s projected growth and the superior economics and reliability of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 provide an excellent basis for Okay Airways‘ success.“
The Boeing 737-800 is the best-selling version of the successful Next-Generation 737 family of airplanes, which are the world’s most popular and reliable commercial jet transports. Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-800 has been selected by leading carriers throughout the world. The single-aisle jet, which can seat between 162 to 189 passengers, can fly 260 nautical miles farther and consume 6 percent less fuel per seat while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.
To date, Boeing has received more than 2,400 orders for the 737-800 from 79 customers.
