Boeing earns $4.2bn orders

Jakarta-based

has placed an order with

worth $3bn at list prices for 40 737-900

aircraft.

‘This announcement is a great achievement for Lion Air as we are the world’s largest operator of the 737-900ER,’ said Rusdi Kirana, founder and president of Lion Air.

Boeing launched the 737-900ER program in July 2005, and up until last July Lion Air had ordered 60 of the latest model.

The new aircraft has a new pair of exit doors, and is said to be able to fit 220 passengers in a single-class layout. It will also be able to fly an increased distance of 5,900km thanks to strengthened wings, a two-position tailskid, improvements to the leading and trailing-edge flap systems, optional blended winglets, and two extra fuel tanks.

Lion Air, which operates an all-Boeing Fleet, expects a delivery of seven 737-900ERs this year.

Separately, GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has placed an order for six Boeing 777 Freighters, worth $1.2bn at list prices.

This order increases the number of 777s owned by GECAS to 39, which includes 14 777 Freighters. The latest order is said to reflect the high demand for the Boeing 777.

‘Boeing and our leasing customers have seen remarkable sustained demand for the Boeing 777, with orders nearing 300 airplaines since the beginning of 2005,’ said John Feren, vice-president of Sales, Leasing and Asset Management for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The twin-engine 777 Freighter has a capacity of 104 metric tonnes, and a range of 9,045km. As with other 777 models, the aircraft will also have a hi-tech flight deck with computer-aided aircraft control, known as fly-by-wire, and raked wingtips. The aircraft will also be powered by the General Electric GE90-110B1L engine.

GECAS expects the delivery of the first 777 Freighter by the end of 2008.