DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing, Virgin Australia Announce Order For 23 737 MAX
*Order includes options for four additional 737 MAX airplanes
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 9, 2012: Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Virgin Australia today finalized a firm order for 23 fuel-efficient 737 MAX airplanes with options for four additional 737 MAX airplanes.
With this order, Virgin Australia becomes the first Australian airline to finalize an order for the new 737 MAX, while adding to their existing fleet of 68 Next-Generation 737 airplanes.
"Boeing shares a longstanding relationship with Virgin Australia and we are honored to partner with Virgin once again as the country's first customer for the new 737 MAX," said Brad McMullen, Vice President of Japan & Oceania Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 737 MAX will provide passengers with unrivaled comfort as well as tremendous economics and reliability to Virgin Australia's growing operations," McMullen said.
The 737 MAX will deliver the big savings in fuel that airlines want. Powered by the CFM International LEAP-1B engines, it reduces fuel use by an additional 13 percent over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes. The 737 MAX's more efficient structural design, less engine thrust and less required maintenance also add up to substantial cost advantages for customers. The 737 MAX 8 will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment, with an eight percent per-seat advantage over its competitor.
Virgin Australia established its operations in Australia with two Boeing 737 airplanes in August 2000. The airline operates a mix of 73 narrow and wide body Boeing airplanes.
Ailerons for all Boeing 737 airplanes are manufactured in Australia by Boeing Aerostructures Australia.
Since 2006, Boeing has discussed replacing the 737 with a "clean sheet" design (internally named "Boeing Y1") that could follow the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A decision on this replacement was postponed, and delayed into 2011.
In 2010, Airbus launched the Airbus A320neo, a single-aisle jet aircraft which incorporated a new engine to improve fuel burn and operating efficiency. The decision was met with positive reaction by many airlines, which began making major orders for the improved aircraft, notably from AirAsia and IndiGo. This put pressure on Boeing and on August 30, 2011, Boeing's board of directors approved the Boeing 737 MAX project. Boeing claims the 737 MAX will provide a 16% lower fuel burn than the current Airbus A320, and 4% lower than the Airbus A320neo.
Boeing expects the 737 MAX to meet or exceed the range of the Airbus A320neo. The first of new variant is scheduled to be delivered in 2017.
The three variants of the new family are the 737 MAX 7, the 737 MAX 8 and the 737 MAX 9, which are based on the 737-700, −800 and −900ER, respectively. which are the best selling versions of the 737 Next Generation family. Boeing has stated that the fuselage lengths and door configurations from the Boeing 737 Next Generation family will be retained on the 737 MAX variants.
Initially, the customers for the 737 MAX were not disclosed, except for American Airlines. On November 17, 2011, Boeing released the names of two other customers - Lion Air and Aviation Capital Group. At that time, Boeing reported 700 commitments from 9 customers for the 737 MAX. On December 13, 2011, Southwest Airlines announced they would be the launch customer for the 737 MAX with a firm order of 150 aircraft and 150 options. In December 2011, Boeing has 948 commitments and firm orders from 13 customers for the 737 MAX.
Norwegian Air Shuttle has announced in January 2012 an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX airliners, along with 22 Boeing 737-800 and 100 Airbus A320neo aircraft. This is the first European order for the 737 MAX and the entire order is valued at $11.4 billion. In July 2012, Virgin Australia announced an agreement to order 23 Max aircraft.
For more information go to boeing.com/newairplane/737max/virgin-australia
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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
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