Boeing orders keep coming in Paris

By Geoffrey Thomas | June 22, 2011

Boeing announced a host of new orders Tuesday at one of the most active Paris Air Shows, in terms of commercial aircraft commitments, in recent memory.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ordered 15 737-800NGs valued at $1.2 billion based on list prices, bringing its commitment for the type to 78. The airline also finalized its contract to purchase three 787s, an agreement the Oslo-based operator announced in May, which brings the total number of 787s it will operate to five, including two to be leased from ILFC.

Norwegian Air Shuttle CEO Bjorn Kjos told media that the new 737-800s "will give us a tremendous competitive advantage, enabling us to reduce our overall costs even more." In the longer term, Kjos said he wants Boeing to move to an all new-aircraft to replace the 737 (ATW Daily News, June 21).

Aeroflot ordered eight more 777-300ERs in addition to the order for eight 777s announced in March (ATW Daily News, March 10). Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said the manufacturer is "very grateful for the confidence Aeroflot has placed in Boeing and in the 777." Aeroflot General Director Vitaly Saveliev noted the Russian airlineis "extremely interested" in the proposed 787-10 (ATW Daily News, May 9), with Albaugh adding that Boeing would "probably build the aircraft" and hoped Aeroflot would be a "launch customer."

GECAS announced its intent to purchase two 747-8 freighters and eight 777-300ERs. The 747-8F is a new model for the GECAS portfolio. Boeing said that it "looks forward to finalizing the details of the agreement, at which time the order will be posted to the Boeing Orders site."

GECAS President and CEO Norman C.T. Liu said, "The addition of these 777s complements the order we placed last March for 10 777s, and will help GECAS meet growing airline demand for long-haul passenger airplanes. The two 747-8 freighters will broaden our cargo portfolio."

Finally, Malaysia Airlines exercised options for 10 737-800s. The order was previously listed as unidentified by Boeing. The airline has options for a further 10.

Discuss this news 8

22 Jun00:06

Maybe if we could reduce the

By Anonymous

Maybe if we could reduce the massive pay of US airline executives they could update the ancient fleet of US airlines.

Why is it the only people in this country happy with the status quo of the US airline industry is it's executives? Not American passengers and surely not airline employees.

Something has got to change.

22 Jun14:48

Or maybe if we could reduce

By Anonymous

Or maybe if we could reduce the massive pay of US airline pilots....

22 Jun16:34

And what do you consider

By Anonymous

And what do you consider "massive" pay?

22 Jun18:20

Reduce, It is been reduce

By Sergio Ruiz

Reduce, It is been reduce about 40% in the last years. I sugest you read the speech of the pilot that landed the A320 in the hudson river.
It is not the crew´s, get inform.

23 Jun08:02

Okay children, let's play

By Frank

Okay children, let's play nice!

23 Jun11:59

There needs to be an overall

By Anonymous

There needs to be an overall restructuring of the airline industry in the USA, included in that should be more equity of salaries within an airline. Salaries in the airline industry are extremely top-heavy. Additionally, a resetting of expectations by the airlines of what is to be delivered to customers is essential. The demand for low cost transportation has reduced airlines to flying bus company equivalents. Even First Class service can't compare to coach class 20 years ago. Airlines need to also work to restructure labor agreements so that customer facing employees may be cycled in/out on a 5-year contract. Let's face it, if you or I had to put up with even 5% of what many public facing employees do, we'd probably be on probatioin! Additionally, an investment in better training, some phycologically-motivated and cultural awareness training would be nice. Back in the 70s Pan Am was recognized for its efforts in this arena, introducing transactional-analysis to its cabin crew training program. I do not recall how it was integrated but Ms. Suzanne Wilson, Director in Flight Svcs. was a trailblazer in seeking ways to deal with multicultural groups in close environments.

29 Jun10:58

Talking to pilots I have met

By Anonymous

Talking to pilots I have met over the last couple of years I was shocked to find out how low their pay scale was; they have the lives of hundreds of people on any given flight. In several cases they have proved to be heros in saving lives. Give them what they want!

29 Jun23:29

Change is coming - VIRGIN

By Navi

Change is coming - VIRGIN AMERICA, JETBLUE, FRONTIER, ETC if the legacy airlines do not change they will continue to lose market share and eventually go away - ever heard of BRANIFF,TWA, PAN AM, EASTERN....that is why they are merging and consolidating.