Slovak low-cost airline SkyEurope orders up to 32 Boeing jets (737-700)

VIENNA (AFP) - The low-cost Slovak airline SkyEurope Airlines said here it had ordered up to 32 Boeing 737-700 aircraft in a lease-and-purchase deal worth 880 million (721 million euros) to 1.76 billion dollars.

The contract, which has been signed, covers a firm order for 16 aircraft and an option to acquire an additional 16.

Of the 16 firm orders, according to a Boeing spokeswoman in Brussels, six of the Next-Generation aircraft had already been delivered to GE Commercial Aviation Services, the air leasing arm of the US General Electric conglomerate, for use by SkyEurope.

The leasing unit has ordered six additional 737-700s for the Slovak carrier, with the remaining four to be purchased by SkyEurope directly, she said. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in February 2006.

Alain Skrowonek, SkyEurope co-founder, said Tuesday the order reflected "the rapid rise of our business."

SkyEurope Airlines, the largest Slovak air carrier, serves central European countries. Of the total number of passengers transported in Slovakia, the air carrier accounts for more than half.

Boeing, GECAS Confirm Order for Six Boeing 737-700 Jetliners GECAS to lease airplanes to Sky Europe

SEATTLE , May 10, 2005 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), revealed today a definitive agreement for the purchase of six Boeing Next-Generation 737-700s valued at approximately $330 million at list prices.

GECAS will lease the six new airplanes, along with six previously ordered 737-700s, to Sky Europe, a Central European low-cost low-fare airline, based in Bratislava, Slovakia . Sky Europe currently operates Boeing 737-500s.

Deliveries of the new airplanes will begin in 2006 and extend through 2007.

"The global popularity of the Next-Generation 737 family is an important attribute for leasing companies," said John Feren, vice president of Leasing & Asset Management for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 737 retains its value well and is the most reliable and economical airplane in its class, with excellent passenger comfort."

GECAS has long been an important Boeing customer, offering the 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 to operators. GECAS has been highly successful in placing Boeing airplanes with operators from every continent, including many of the world's most prestigious airlines.

The Next-Generation 737 family excels in the short-to-medium-range market, delivering high profitability, optimum efficiency and reliability and a design that is 10 years newer that its competition.

The Boeing Next-Generation 737 is the fastest-selling jetliner of all time and is a leader in dispatch reliability. Boeing has logged orders for more than 2,400 Next-Generation 737s since launching the program in 1993, with a backlog of more than 770 airplanes.

GE Commercial Aviation Services, a unit of GE Commercial Finance, is the commercial aircraft financing and leasing business of General Electric Co. With long-standing customer relationships with more than 200 airlines in some 60 countries, GECAS has a fleet of more than 1,300 owned aircraft and offers a full range of aircraft fleet and financing solutions, including operating leases and secured debt financing; engine leasing through its Engine Leasing unit and pilot training through its Aviation Training unit. GECAS has offices in 21 cities worldwide.

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Contacts: Bob Saling , Boeing – Seattle, (206) 766-2914, e-mail: bob.saling@boeing.com Sandy Angers, Boeing – Renton, (425) 965-9380, e-mail: sandra.l.angers@boeing.com Eric Jones, GECAS - Stamford, CT, (203) 357 6978, e-mail: eric.jones@gecas.com

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q2/nr_050510g.html

"Alex have you eaten at Prasna Basta lately?"

I do not know that place. I know mostly the restaurants
in and around old town.

As for flights, My home was Memphis, and we had only one nonstop flight to Europe each day...KLM to Amsterdam.
From there, you took a KLM to any city in Europe.
I had round trip tickets to Barcelona for as cheap as $350
from Memphis.
There are often cheap flights to other cities in Europe, but NEVER to Vienna.
A few years ago, NW started operating the same flight with NW planes and crew. There was a noticeable decline in the service.
I think all the American carriers have the poorest ratings
of international airline carriers.
On a return trip to the US last year, I was to have been on Air France, but missed the connection in Paris and was stuck on a Delta flight.
The snotty flight attendant told me that a drink would be $4.00.
I said that I had never paid for a drink on an international flight.
She told me that all the airlines had been charging for last four years and I did not know what I was talking about.
She got upset when I told her that for the last 4 years I had been making three round trips a year from US to Europe.

My return was on an Air France flight from Atlanta.
I had all the wine, Champaign, and Brandy that I wanted.

My advice is to never fly a US carrier on an international flight.

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