Posted on 09/29/2006 10:50:08 PM PDT by Righty_McRight
SEATTLE, Sept. 29, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Ryanair, Europe's largest and most profitable low-fares airline, announced today an order for 32 Next-Generation 737-800s.
Deliveries for this order to the Dublin-based carrier, valued at $2.25 billion at list prices, are scheduled to begin in 2008. The order involves exercising options included in a previous purchase contract.
"With its exceptional reliability, environmental performance and low operating costs, the Boeing 737-800 has played an important role in enabling Ryanair to deliver Europe's lowest fares and unmatched punctuality to our passengers," said Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair. "By adding 32 more Boeing 737-800s to our fleet, Ryanair will offer more low fares to even more destinations, and will grow to serve over 80 million passengers per year by 2012."
Ryanair is the largest European operator of 737s and operates one of the youngest fleets in Europe, composed entirely of 737-800s. To date, Ryanair has ordered 281 737-800s.
"The Boeing 737-800 has played a key role in Ryanair's leadership in the low-fare market. Boeing is very proud of our strong partnership and Ryanair's proven track record of delivering outstanding value to their customers and shareholders," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The popular Next-Generation 737 continues to bring exceptional value to Ryanair and travelers across Europe."
The 737-800 is the most popular member of the Next-Generation 737 family, with more than 1,860 airplanes ordered. The 737-800's market success is confirmed by air finance investors, who consistently rank it as the most preferred airplane due to its wide market base, superior performance efficiency and lowest operating costs in its class.
The newer 737s, which are known for their industry-leading reliability and efficient design, are 10 years younger than the competing A320 series and were designed to provide significantly more range and payload capability, improved emissions, and lower operating costs than earlier 737 models and competing models.
As of Aug. 31, 2006, 100 customers have placed orders for more than 3,300 Next-Generation 737s; the program has 1,360 unfilled orders with a value of about $91 billion at current list prices.
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Maybe this copy of the same image will allow a link.
Wow! How long does it take Boeing to crank out one of these?
This article from July says they produce 28 per month, but were trying to boost it to 31.
"Boeing Co. is boosting production of its popular commercial jetliner, the 737, from 28 per month to 31. That means more work for Spirit AeroSystems -- which builds the 737's fuselage -- and for suppliers."
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/business/15016983.htm
If it ain't broken, why buy Airbus? :-P
Because unlike the troubled A380 and A350XWB programs, the A320 Family of planes were developed with very little problems and met their development goals. As a result, sales have been strong and continue to be so.
When the last A320 is taken to the scrapyard to be recycled into milk cartons and giant wings for Honda cars, the crew will be taken back to base in a 737 variant.
I've flown in many A320s and have been underwhelmed. The 737-800, IMHO, is a much better plane.
Maybe to fly. But I have to admit..those Southwest Airlines 737's are extremely cramped compared to 319/320. I wish Boeing would put out a line similar to the 717 and the MD80. The 2-3 configuration gives you less chance of landing in one of those horrid middle seats
Now a 737 with a 2/3 configuration would be a nice aircraft. Does anybody do that?
That's just a matter of seat configuration. SWA has them at the tightest pitch (least distance between seats). The config can be changed by the airline should they choose.
Good point - I always thought the same thing, Ryanair's harp over Aer Lingus' shamrock! Yes, the harp is the official emblem, in fact I think the shamrock hasn't any official status.
Your point illustrates one other thing - Ryanair is the true flagship airline of this country!!
BTW, speaking of Irish airlines, Aer Lingus has been privatised (at last):
Ireland approves Aer Lingus privatization
Now we just need to fix up the Dublin airport to accomodate all those additional Ryanair passengers!
But, but, we need Eurodole to do that! :-P
When you buy that many planes, do they have a punch-card like sub shops or pizza shops do, where every 20th one is free?
Yeah, but you have to collect tokens....
;)
I always lose the damn card after 18 or 19 purchases.
I know... you could put it in your wallet!
Good news!
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