New Boeings to help expand network: SpiceJet
By IANSMonday, November 8, 2010
NEW DELHI - Domestic low-cost carrier SpiceJet Monday said the 30 Boeing-737s it has ordered for $2.3 billion will help it expand its domestic network and fly to international destinations.
“The aviation sector in India is recovering and business and leisure travel is on the rise. With the addition of the new 737s, it will help us expand SpiceJets domestic network as well as support the launch of our international destinations, the carrier’s CEO, Neil Mills, said.
We are extremely satisfied with the Next-Generation 737 - an airplane that is reliable, allows for greater efficiency in maintenance and supports the business plan for low-cost carriers, he added.
The announcement of the SpiceJet order was made in Mumbai Saturday on the first day of US President Barack Obama’s four-day visit to India.
The order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.
SpiceJet is already operating a sizeable fleet of 737-800s and 737-900ERs and the new order underscores the airlines confidence in the airplane, said Dinesh Keskar, vice president of Boeing International and president of Boeing India.
Boeing said it will deliver SpiceJets Next-Generation 737-800s with the all-new 737 Boeing Sky Interior.
The interior promises to redefine the travel experience for SpiceJet passengers, who will enjoy the modern, sculpted sidewalls and window reveals and larger stow bins that are standard with the new interiors, a Boeing statement said.
The Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of improvements to the Next-Generation 737 family.
The next to come is a package of performance improvements that will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 2 percent - making the airplane a full 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered.
Performance improvements to the airframe and engine are beginning certification test soon, and will be fully in service by early 2012, the statement said.
To-date, more than 125 customers have placed orders for more than 5,600 Next-Generation 737s. Unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 exceed 2,100 airplanes valued at more than $160 billion at average list prices.
