Transavia, the
Amsterdam-based charter and scheduled airline, has exercised an option
to purchase two additional Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 jetliners, The
Boeing Company confirmed today.
Including today's announcement, Transavia will have 21 Next-Generation
737 airplanes in operation by summer 2003. In total, 11 new Boeing Next
Generation 737s will be added to Transavia's fleet in the next three
years: three in spring 2001, five in 2002 (including the two announced
today) and three in 2003.
Including this order for two, Transavia's order for Next-Generation 737s
totals 14 firm plus 10 options. In addition, Transavia has committed to
seven more new 737-700s and -800s from outside leasing companies.
These orders are existing orders that have been accounted for in
cumulative totals published by Boeing. Until today, however, the
customer for the order was unidentified.
Transavia operates an all-Boeing fleet consisting of 737s and 757s. They
have been a Boeing customer since taking delivery of their first 737-200
in 1974. Boeing delivered Transavia's first three 737-800s in 1998.
"The 737 has been the backbone of our fleet for years - reliable and
cost efficient," said. Peter Legro, president and CEO of Transavia. "We
are glad that we can standardize on all related operational aspects
offered within the Boeing Next Generation 737 family, and still benefit
from the different seat capacity that our market demands with this mix
of the -700 and -800 in our fleet."
Building a quieter, more fuel-efficient airplane was a top priority for
Boeing engineers designing the Next-Generation 737 family. The new,
advanced-technology wing design on the models helps improve fuel
efficiency. The model's new CFM56-7 engines produced by CFMI, a joint
venture of General Electric Co. of the U.S. and Snecma of France, meet
community noise restrictions well below current Stage 3 limits and below
expected Stage 4 limits. Emissions also are reduced beyond required
standards.
"We are very happy that Transavia continues to fill its fleet with
Next-Generation 737s," said Toby Bright, vice president, Europe/Russia
Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group. "They have a good, solid
reputation with their passengers, and we are proud to play a part in
that by providing comfortable, reliable airplanes."
With more than 1,733 orders already on the books since program launch in
1993, the Boeing Next-Generation 737 is the fastest-selling new jetliner
in history. |