Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, part of the AIR FRANCE/KLM Group, has placed an order for additional 737 and 777 aircraft. The airline will add three Next-Generation 737-700s and two 777-300ERs (Extended Range) 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 today’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.
The airline continues to strengthen its short-haul fleet with the Next-Generation 737 to improve overall efficiency and reliability and to strengthen its competitive position in the European market.
„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.“
Over the life of the 777 program, 53 customers worldwide have placed more than 1,000 orders for 777s. The program has approximately 350 unfilled orders worth more than $90 billion at current list prices.
As of Oct. 31, Boeing had logged orders for more than 4,200 Next-Generation 737s, and has unfilled orders for more than 1,800 airplanes worth more than $130 billion at current list prices.
Photo: Boeing
