American Airlines Complete Order for 35 Next-Generation 737s

SEATTLE, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and American Airlines, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMR Corp., today announced the airline has exercised options for an additional 35 Next-Generation 737-800s.

The order is part of American Airlines’ ongoing fleet renewal plan, replacing MD-80s with fuel-efficient Next-Generation 737s. The 737-800 is 35 percent more fuel efficient on a seat-mile basis than the MD-80s it will replace.

“American Airlines is leveraging all the performance benefits of the Next-Generation 737 to enhance the airline’s competitive position, while providing an enhanced passenger travel experience,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “American’s investment in additional 737s demonstrates real confidence in the 737′s technology and economics. In addition, the new interiors on its existing 737 fleet and the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior on deliveries starting in 2011 will ensure American’s customers continue to enjoy an exceptional flying experience.”

“The 737-800 provides additional amenities for our customers while helping to reduce our operating and fuel costs and lessen our impact on the environment,” said Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer for American Airlines. “The 737 is a product that benefits all of American’s stakeholders and is a good fit for our current fleet renewal plans.”

Famous for its extremely efficient operation, high dispatch reliability and leading performance on coast-to-coast flights, the 737-800 remains the airplane of choice for airlines wanting to take advantage of new opportunities in the market.

Today’s 35 new orders build on an order for 84 737s that began arriving in 2009. American currently expects to have a total of 195 737-800s in its single-aisle fleet by the end of 2012.

Source: Boeing

Boeing Statement on Air Lease Corporation Agreement for Up to 60 Next-Generation 737s

 FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that new leasing company Air Lease Corporation (ALC) will purchase up to 60 Next-Generation 737-800s.

The agreement includes 54 firm orders and six options, with delivery scheduled through 2017. Boeing looks forward to finalizing the details of the agreement, at which time it will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

“We have selected the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 as a cornerstone of our growing commercial aircraft lease fleet. The 737-800 represents an opportunity for our wide range of airline clients to operate this most economical, fuel efficient and versatile 150-189 passenger airplane, on a wide variety of airline missions profitably,” said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, chairman and CEO of Air Lease Corporation. “This order with Boeing will continue this management team’s tradition of working closely with Boeing since 1977.”

“It is impressive that only five months after launching Air Lease Corporation in February, they are placing an order for 60 Next-Generation 737s,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The Air Lease Corporation team has a proven track record in global aircraft leasing – with great leaders in Steve Hazy and John Plueger. They are well positioned for success.”

The Next-Generation 737 family is the world’s best-selling airplane because of continued airline confidence in its ability to deliver outstanding, dependable operational and financial performance across the widest wide range of missions.

Demand for the Next-Generation 737 has led Boeing to announce two production rate increases, leading to the highest-ever production rates for the airplane by 2012.

Source: Boeing

Avolon Announce Order for 12 Next-Generation 737s

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Dublin, Ireland-based leasing company Avolon today announced an order for 12 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 jetliners.

Valued at approximately $921 million at average list prices, the Avolon order was posted to Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website in December 2009 and attributed to an unidentified customer.

“Avolon’s order is especially significant because it is a brand-new player in the leasing industry, having just launched in May and established offices around the world,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Avolon’s selection of the 737 is another indicator of the 737′s value to airlines and investors. Their entry into the marketplace is another signal that both the aviation industry and the air transport sector are recovering – and that’s good news for all of us.”

“This order represents a further step towards our stated strategy of developing Avolon as a global leader in aircraft leasing,” said Domhnal Slattery, Avolon CEO. “Having our own delivery stream of new aircraft is a natural complement to our sale and leaseback and other financing capabilities. At a value of close to $1 billion the order reflects both the scale of our ambition and the strength of our financial backing.”

The Next-Generation 737-800 is the best-selling version of the 737 family. Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-800 is selected by leading carriers throughout the world because it provides operators the flexibility to serve a wide range of markets. The 737-800 seats between 162 and 189 passengers. It can fly 235 nautical miles farther and has 5.4 percent lower fuel consumption per seat while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model in a two-class configuration.

Source: Boeing

Norwegian Air Shuttle Exercises Purchase Rights for 15 Boeing Next-Generation 737s

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) and low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA today signed an agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow for 15 Boeing 737-800s. The airline is exercising purchase rights from its landmark 2007 order for 42 Next-Generation 737s. Today’s order is valued at $1.15 billion at average list prices and increases the airline’s unfilled orders to 59 Next-Generation 737s.

Norwegian Air Shuttle, which operates commercially as “Norwegian,” is the second largest airline in Scandinavia and has a route portfolio that stretches across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East.

“We owe our success to our customers – almost 11 million passengers chose to fly with us in 2009. The Next-Generation 737 allows us to offer them on-time departures and arrivals, an environmentally-responsible and comfortable journey,” said Bjorn Kjos, CEO of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. “We recognize the tremendous value Boeing’s products and services bring to our business and are highly appreciative of the people of The Boeing Company.”

Norwegian’s landmark order in 2007 for 42 airplanes and 42 purchase rights was the largest ever airplane order from any Scandinavian carrier. Norwegian also is among the first airlines in the world to incorporate the new, spacious 737 Boeing Sky Interior into its airplanes. The interior features soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead, contemporary sculpted sidewalls and window reveals designed to draw passengers’ eyes to the airplanes’ windows, enhancing the passengers’ overall flying experience.

“Increasing the production rate of the Next-Generation 737 was the right thing to do to support the growth ambitions of successful carriers like Norwegian,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “At the same time, we are improving the performance of the Next-Generation 737 to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by a further 2 percent.”

Boeing routinely seeks environmental improvements throughout its product development process. In the case of the Next-Generation 737, improved aerodynamics, a lighter airframe, and a lighter and more powerful engine produced by the French-American partnership CFMI, have led to major environmental gains compared to previous models.

Source: Boeing

Austrian Airlines to Add Boeing Maintenance Tool on 777, 767 and 737 Jetliners

SEATTLE, July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Austrian Airlines today announced that the two companies have finalized an agreement to enhance maintenance efficiency on Austrian 777-200ERs, 767-300ERs and Next-Generation 737s with the Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox. Toolbox will allow the airline to improve its dispatch reliability through the use of e-enabled technologies.

Austrian Airlines’ 737, 767 and 777 fleets will be equipped with two Toolbox modules – the Library and Authoring modules – which operate through MyBoeingFleet.com, Boeing’s popular customer Internet portal.

“Our aim is to implement the latest available technology that enhances our productivity and fleet reliability. We are very excited to initiate Toolbox to improve the efficiency and quality in our maintenance processes,” said Austrian Airlines Vice President Technical Dr. Burkard Wigger. “The enhancement of maintenance information accuracy and delivery to our maintenance team will provide benefits to our entire operation.”

The Library module allows the airline to store and access current, consolidated manufacturer and customer maintenance data, as well as flight information. Included is information from multiple airplane manuals provided by Boeing, which can be linked to customer data and provide search and retrieval capability.

The Authoring module builds on the Library module by allowing the airline to edit and customize the Boeing maintenance information within Toolbox and add supplemental data.

“Austrian Airlines has made a strong commitment to efficiently manage its maintenance practices by arming its maintenance team with improved data,” said Dennis Floyd, vice president of Fleet Services for Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This is a great endorsement of Boeing as a solutions partner.”

Austrian also will be able to access some Toolbox capabilities remotely, where conditions may not allow the maintenance team to access the online Toolbox, by hosting Toolbox data on airline-provided computer equipment.

Toolbox also will operate in concert with the Boeing Airplane Health Management (AHM) system, already in place on Austrian Airlines’ 777 fleet. The AHM Real-Time module deployed by Austrian provides in-flight information to ground stations for diagnosis and real-time operational decisions to initiate any needed maintenance operations and deploy the necessary people, parts and equipment.

Boeing 737 Production Rate Increases to 35 per Month

SEATTLE, June 15 Boeing  today announced a second production rate increase on the Next-Generation 737 program, taking the rate from the previously announced 34 airplanes per month to 35 in early 2012.

In May, Boeing cited continued strong demand for the Next-Generation 737 as reason to ramp-up production from 31.5 to 34 airplanes per month and indicated plans to study further increases. Today’s announcement acknowledges the anticipated long-term growth in this market segment and the continued pressure to raise airplane output to match expected market demand.  

“Our customers continue to show their preference for the Next-Generation 737 by exercising order options as well as by placing new orders,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “We’ve managed our current backlog efficiently and increasing rate is the product of our comprehensive planning and preparation. We will continue to monitor demand as we go forward.”

Boeing and its suppliers will prepare for the rate increase over the next 18 months, assessing readiness and ensuring an orderly ramp-up from the current 31.5 airplanes per month. The rate increase is not expected to have a material impact on 2010 financial results.

The Next-Generation 737 program continues to innovate in the areas of improved navigation, performance and passenger comfort. The program will deliver its first 737 Boeing Sky Interior in October and is progressing with its implementation of a package of performance improvements by early 2012 that are expected to reduce fuel consumption by 2 percent.

Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty

Certain statements in this report may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak to events only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding our guidance relating to future financial and operating performance, the effect of economic conditions in the United States and globally, and general industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers, as well as the other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Rob Vogelaar, ZAPP Group

Boeing 737 Production Rate to Increase to Meet Customer Demand

SEATTLE, May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that it will increase production rates on the Next-Generation 737 program to 34 airplanes per month in early 2012. The planned rate increase is aimed at satisfying continued strong demand for the Next-Generation 737. In addition, the company continues to study further potential 737 rate increases, given continued customer demand.

“With over 5,200 sold to date, the Next-Generation 737 is the workhorse in our customers’ fleets around the world,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “Even through the global economic downturn, our diverse 737 backlog has remained very strong. Increasing the 737 production rate is the right thing to do to meet the growth and fleet replacement needs of our customers.”

The current production rate on the 737 program is 31.5 airplanes per month. Suppliers for the 737 program are prepared to support the rate increase. The production rate decision is not expected to have a material impact on 2010 financial results.

“The global economy continues to recover this year and we believe that airlines will return to profitability in 2011,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We believe that there will be an increased demand for airplanes – especially in the market served by the Next-Generation 737 – in 2012 and beyond.”

With more than 2,000 unfilled orders from more than 80 customers around the world, the Next-Generation 737 is the newest and most technologically advanced airplane in its class. Airfinance Journal’s investors’ and operators’ poll consistently ranks the Next-Generation 737 as the most preferred airplane in its class due to its wide market base, superior efficiency and lowest operating costs.

Source: Boeing

600 Boeing 737′s need Emergency inspection worldwide

EMERGENCY inspections of 600 Boeing 737 planes are being conducted worldwide following concerns a faulty mechanism could render the aircraft uncontrollable.

Worldwide airlines have been affected by an “emergency airworthiness directive” issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the issue, but insist passengers won’t be affected by the checks.

The order was issued following an incident on March 2 when a Ryanair 737-800 en route from the Netherlands to Madrid experienced severe vibrations and had to make an unscheduled landing in Belgium.

Extensive damage to the left elevator, a movable flap on the horizontal tail that controls the pitch of the airplane, was found.

The FAA is now concerned the “unsafe condition” is “likely to exist or develop on other planes of the same type design”, the airworthiness directive stated.

“Severe vibration in this attach point is suspected of allowing rapid wear of the joint, and resulted in failure of the attach lugs,” Ali Bahrami, Manager of Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, said in the order.

“This condition, if not corrected, could result in a loss of aircraft control and structural integrity.”

Source: www.news.com.au

Boeing Begins 737 AEW&C Maintenance Training for Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF BASE WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales, March 3, 2010 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has launched the first maintenance training program conducted under the five-year In-Service Support (ISS) contract for Project Wedgetail, Australia’s 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) program.

Training began on Feb. 15 with five Boeing Defence Australia instructors and 32 students from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 2 Squadron. The 147-day program, held in the AEW&C Support Centre at RAAF Base Williamtown, is a combination of classroom- and computer-based lessons, Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) simulator sessions, and “real life” flight line training.

“Realistic, integrated training is essential to mission readiness, and our Wedgetail 737 AEW&C training programs are designed to mirror the way RAAF personnel are expected to perform maintenance activities in the field,” said Grant Drew, an AEW&C maintenance instructor for Boeing Defence Australia.

The AEW&C Support Centre, established in 2004 under the Project Wedgetail System Acquisition Contract (SAC), houses the OFT, an Operational Mission Simulator and a Mission Support System to support Australia’s six 737 AEW&C aircraft.

ISS training follows a series of basic maintenance training courses delivered under the Project Wedgetail SAC. Boeing delivered the first two Wedgetail aircraft to the RAAF on Nov. 26, allowing flight and mission crews to launch the first ISS maintenance training programs using the aircraft.

Four Boeing Defence Australia employees also entered the ISS maintenance training program on Feb. 15 in order to become maintenance instructors. In addition to completing the program, they also will learn teaching techniques, curriculum development and how to deliver training using the Wedgetail Maintenance Training System.

“My colleagues are operating at the forefront of defense training with Boeing’s 737 AEW&C platform. I’m privileged to learn from them, carry on their exceptional work and teach future RAAF maintainers,” said Peter Whitty, who will become a Wedgetail ISS avionics maintenance instructor for Boeing Defence Australia after completing the program.

When they graduate, the new Boeing Defence Australia instructors will take on the job of delivering RAAF Wedgetail 737 AEW&C maintenance training programs. The five current Boeing Defence Australia instructors will move on to train instructors and maintainers for Boeing AEW&C systems in production for Turkey and the Republic of Korea.

“Boeing Defence Australia is already a key training service provider and integrator for the Australian Defence Force,” said John Duddy, vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia and vice president and general manager of Global Services & Support – Australia. “Training Wedgetail AEW&C maintainers and maintenance instructors will not only strengthen our relationship with the RAAF, but also increase our in-country and international training footprint.”

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 commercial airplane, the 737 AEW&C aircraft is designed to provide airborne battle-management capability with an advanced multirole electronically scanned radar and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles that are able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The mission crew can direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area.

Source: Boeing

GOL Airlines selects Rockwell Collins to provide data link system and multi-mode receiver for its Boeing 737 fleet

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (February 08, 2010) - Brazil’s GOL Airlines has selected Rockwell Collins to provide CMU-900 Communications Management Unit (CMU) for its fleet of Boeing 737NG airplanes. In addition, the airplanes will also be equipped with the company’s advanced GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver (MMR). Deliveries will begin in early 2010.

“GOL’s standards of safety, comfort and affordability for their passengers, as well as the need to equip their fleet for an evolving future airspace were, key factors in selecting Rockwell Collins for data link and MMR capabilities,” said Jeff Standerski, vice president and general manager of Air Transport Systems for Rockwell Collins. “These are smart investments that will provide operators the advanced functionality and proven technology that will help GOL’s fleet perform at its best now and for years to come.”

The CMU-900 enables state-of-the-art digital communications between aircraft systems, pilots, airlines IT infrastructure, and various operations control functions. This enhances an airline’s ability to more effectively communicate and manage airline operations.

The CMU-900 also will be certified in January 2011 for the European Link 2000+ Protected Mode ATN CPDLC mandate which begins in January 2011. The CMU-900 was the first communications management unit to participate in the European Link 2000+ Controller to Pilot Data link Communications (CPDLC) trials, which validated the use of advanced digital communications for Air Traffic Control communications. 

The advanced GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver is the first MMR certified for precision landing using either Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) or Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). The GLU-925 is the primary navigation sensor for all phases of flight, including the stringent Required Navigation Performance (RNP) requirement of 0.1 n.m.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Boeing Improvements Produce Better Next-Generation 737s Faster

In just 12 years, Boeing (NYSE: BA) employees in Renton, Wash., built and delivered 3,133 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. It took 32 years to produce that same number of earlier-model 737s. Relentless employee and supplier focus on efficiency has resulted in 121 customer airlines receiving their airplanes more quickly.

On Dec. 23, GOL Airlines flew the record-making airplane, a 737-800, to its base in Brazil. Minutes later, a second GOL flight crew departed from Seattle on an identical 737-800.

Shortly after delivering the first Next-Generation 737 in 1997, Boeing employees and suppliers began a dual journey to continuously update the airplanes and produce them more efficiently. Employees now assemble the airplanes in just 10 days, compared to 22 days in the past. Boeing produces 31 Next-Generation 737s a month – better than an airplane a day, including weekends and holidays.

Next-Generation 737s are lighter, consume less fuel, release fewer emissions and are more economical to operate and maintain. Airplanes delivered between September 2008 and September 2009 had so few technical issues that passengers left the airport gate on time 99.8 percent of the time.

Next-Generation 737s are as versatile and flexible as they are efficient. The airplane serves as a platform for military transport and surveillance vehicles, as private jets and as commercial airplanes operated around the world by every type of carrier from low-cost to those offering premier service.

In the next few years, passengers will enjoy the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior and airlines will operate models that reduce fuel consumption and emissions by a further two percent.

Source and picture: Boeing

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 crashes into sea off Beirut

An Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane with 90 people on board has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after take-off from Beirut airport.

Eyewitnesses say they saw a ball of fire in the sky before Addis Ababa-bound Flight ET409 fell into the sea after taking off in stormy weather.

At least 21 bodies have been found, and the airline’s chief executive said there was no word of survivors.

Most of those on board were Lebanese or Ethiopian. There were also two Britons.

The plane, a Boeing 737-800, was carrying 82 passengers. It disappeared from radar screens some five minutes after take-off in stormy weather at about 0200 local time, near the village of Naameh, about 3.5km (2 miles) from the coast.

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