Mar-13-2007 Boeing reaches deals for 28 jets(topic overview)CONTENTS:
REFERENCES  The plane has been a hit with airlines around the world, racking up 464 orders as of last week, after launching in 2004. Earlier on Monday, Boeing said it had signed an agreement to sell 12 787s to Kuwait's Aviation Lease and Finance, along with six smaller 737-800s, for a total of $2.26 billion at list prices. [1] NEW YORK - Boeing Co. chalked up more than $4.5 billion in commercial plane orders on Monday as Continental Airlines Inc. upped an existing order and operators from Russia and Kuwait agreed to buy more planes. The orders underline airlines' excitement about the U.S. planemaker's new 787 Dreamliner -- set for test flights this summer -- and keep the pressure on European rival Airbus, which has seen its share of the lucrative wide-body and freight markets slide dramatically.[2] The orders came from customers around the globe: a Kuwait-based leasing company, an American carrier and a Russian freight company. The orders also emphasize the success of Boeing's fuel-efficient Dreamliner, bringing the 787's total sales since its 2004 launch to more than 470. U.S. carrier Continental Airlines noted its concern over rising fuel costs as a reason for increasing its request for 787s from 20 to 25.[3] ALAFCO became a publicly traded company in Oct 2006. It currently has aeroplanes on lease with nine carriers worldwide. Since its launch in April 2004, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has logged orders from 37 customers for 470 aeroplanes. The rollout and first flight of the 787 are scheduled for later this year, and it is due to come into service in 2008.[4] The leasing company formally signed an agreement with Boeing for 12 Dreamliners and six 737-800s in a deal valued at $2.26 billion at catalog prices. On its Web site, Boeing previously had listed six of the 787s on order from ALAFCO as coming from an unidentified buyer.[3] Russian air cargo company Volga-Dnepr also signed a $1.4 billion deal for five new 747-8 Freighter planes, with an option to buy five more, in what the president of Volga-Dnepr called the biggest ever deal in Russian civil aviation. Combined, the orders will help Boeing in its battle for customers with Airbus, owned by European aerospace group EADS.[5] Boeing Co. Chief Executive Jim McNerney said development of the planemaker's new 787 model was on track and the company did not expect the U.S. government to cancel a $15 billion helicopter deal it had won.[2] Boeing now has nearly 80 orders for the 747-8 model, which is also built in Everett. Continental Airlines said it's increased its order for 787 airplanes, adding five 787-9 airplanes worth between $892 million and $940 million at list prices.[6] At list prices, the five new planes are worth about 916 million dollars. Continental says it's the first airline in the Americas to ordering the 787-9, which will carry more passengers and fly further than the 787-8. Continental also says it's converting 12 previously ordered 787-8s into 787-9s to support the airline's strategy for continued international growth. This is the third order announced today for Boeing.[7] The Chicago-based Boeing said Continental ordered five 787s, worth about $900 million, increasing its orders for the new plane to 25. The No. 4 U.S. airline is the largest U.S. buyer of Boeing's new carbon and titanium jet, which will be able to service fast-growing routes between the United States, Asia and Europe, promising big fuel savings due to its lower weight.[5] Boeing said 37 airlines have logged 470 orders worth more than U.S.$70 billion at current list prices since the 787 launch in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.[8] Boeing Co., the world's second- biggest maker of commercial airplanes, won orders for passenger and cargo jets including 17 of its 787 Dreamliners in three separate transactions valued at a total of about $4.6 billion.[9] The company expects to receive the first of the fuel-efficient planes in 2010 and a second batch in 2012, Chief Executive Ahmad Abdullah Al-Zabin said. The Dreamliner will carry between 210 and 330 passengers depending on the seating configuration and are the first major commercial jets to use composite material for most of its construction. Aviation Lease and Finance buys airplanes and leases them to airlines, based on Islamic-law principles.[10]  The airline has also contracted to convert 12 previously ordered 787-8 jetliners to the larger 787-9s. Continental was the first airline in the Americas to order the 787 Dreamliner, placing its initial order for 10 airplanes in 2004. [8] "The increased size and range of the 787-9 will allow us to serve more cities with the lowest operating seat cost of any aircraft in our fleet. This is the second time we have increased our 787 order, and demonstrates our continued confidence in Boeing and the 787." In addition to increasing its firm order to 25 787s, Continental has converted 12 previously ordered 787-8s into 787-9s, for a total of 17 787-9 and eight 787-8 aircraft on firm order.[3] Singapore Airlines, Asia's most profitable carrier and an industry bellwether for aircraft purchases, in July announced a commitment for 20 A350 XWBs, though it hasn't signed the firm order. Continental's addition increases its total order to 25 of the 787 Dreamliners.[11] Continental Airlines has ordered five 787-9 models and upgraded an earlier order for 12 aircraft of the 787-8 models into 12 of the somewhat larger 787-9 type, Boeing and Continental said. [12] In selecting five of Boeing's 787-9s, Continental became the first airline in the country to order the larger version of the 787. The 787-9 seats 250 to 290 passengers and can fly further than the smaller, more popular 787-8, which will take its first flight later this year.[3] "We recognized the benefits of the 787 early, and today's order further demonstrates our confidence in Boeing and the 787 Dreamliner," said Continental's chairman and chief executive officer Larry Kellner.[8] Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is designed to use 20 percent less fuel than comparable airplanes. The plane's first flight is scheduled for this year, and it will enter into commercial service in 2008.[13] The plane is scheduled to begin service in mid-2008, five years before Airbus SAS's competing model, the A350 XWB. Boeing may regain the lead in aircraft deliveries from Airbus, the world's largest maker of commercial aircraft, as early as next year on surging demand for the twin-aisle 787.[9] Boeing called the large list of orders the most successful launch of a new plane model in aerospace history.[12] Boeing has also received an order for five 747-8 freight planes from the Russian air freight firm Volga-Dnepr, which has purchase rights for another five of the model.[12] At the end of February, Boeing had 64 plane orders, the same number as it did at the same time last year, when it emerged as the best-selling planemaker for the first time since 2000. Airbus had orders for 97 planes on its books at the end of February. Boeing's big orders come shortly after its commercial plane marketing chief announced his retirement.[14] The plane builder announced deals with three companies worth up to $4.5 billion at list prices for 28 aircraft, including 17 new 787 Dreamliners.[3] SEATTLE Boeing is announcing that a Kuwait-based aircraft leasing company signed a deal to buy 18 airplanes.[15] The five aircraft have a list price ranging from $178.5 million to $188 million before discounts that carriers typically receive, according to Boeing's Web site.[11] "Since we placed our initial 787 order in December 2004, we have become even more impressed with the 787 and its capabilities," said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO. "The increased size and range of the 787-9 will allow us to serve more cities with the lowest operating seat cost of any aircraft in our fleet. This is the second time we have increased our 787 order, and demonstrates our continued confidence in Boeing and the 787."[16] Instead of the 787-8, Continental will get 12 of Boeing's 787-9s, which can fly up to 8,500 nautical miles. Continental said its 787 orders allow it to replace less-efficient planes, seek more long-haul markets, and sell more seats on international routes.[17] "Since we placed our initial 787 order in December 2004, we have become even more impressed with the 787 and its capabilities," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and chief executive officer.[3] Continental said it was the first airline in the Americas to order the 787-9. Continental wants to add longer-range planes to serve more international cities from its hubs in Newark and Houston.[18] The plane has been a hit with airlines around the world, racking up 464 orders as of last week, after launching in 2004.[19] Alafco's Dreamliner order brings to 464 the number of definite orders - from 37 airlines - for the Dreamliner, slated to begin service in mid 2008.[12] The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for launch in 2008, provides passengers with a better flying experience and operators with a more efficient commercial jetliner. [20] Monday's requests, which bring Boeing's total to more than 80 for the year, do not catapult the company past the 97 orders accumulated by rival Airbus in the first two months of 2007.[3] Continental, which already made an order for 20 787-8s, said it would buy five more of the larger 787-9 models, and would also convert 12 of the original order for 787-8s into 787-9s. That means Continental now has a total of 17 787-9s on order and eight 787-8s.[21] In addition to the 25 787s, Continental has 60 737s and two 777s on order, plus options for 82 additional 737 and 787 aircraft.[22] A Kuwaiti aircraft leasing firm has placed orders for more than a half-billion dollars in jet engines from GE Aviation and its joint venture, CFM International.[23] The airline also said it upgraded a previous order for a dozen 787s to a longer-range version of the jet.[17] The 18 planes carry a total list price of two-point-26 billion dollars but airlines typically negotiate large discounts from the list price when selling multiple planes. [15] The five new jets are worth about $916 million at list prices, and a dozen 787-9s are worth $1.8 billion more than 787-8s.[17] The long-range, midsize 787 is designed to burn 20 percent less fuel than comparable airplanes by using more lightweight composites. Its first flight is scheduled for August, and the jet is expected to enter commercial service in 2008. [17] ALAFCO recently became a publicly traded company in October 2006. It currently has airplanes on lease with nine carriers worldwide.[24] "ALAFCO's demonstrated faith in Boeing airplanes has further strengthened our working relationship and we're proud to be included as part of what we know is a very sound strategy for growth and continuing success." Boeing rounded out the day by bolstering sales for its revamped 747 freighter.[3] Continental also said it was converting 12 previously ordered 787-8s to the larger model, which can seat from 250 to 290 passengers. [25] ALAFCO ordered six 787-8s Monday and was identified as the buyer of six previously listed orders for the planes.[17] In 2005, Alafco placed an order for 12 of an earlier version of the A350, taking options for an additional five. That order hasn't yet been made firm.[11] Continental's mainline fleet is the youngest among all network airlines based in the U.S., with an average aircraft age of less than 10 years. [16] Continental's 787s will be powered by all-new fuel efficient and environmentally progressive GEnx engines developed by General Electric. The airline is scheduled to receive its first 787 in 2009.[8] The airline said the additional planes will help expand its international service and will replace less efficient wide-body jets. [26] REFERENCES 1. Reuters - News - MSNBC.com 2. Continental, others buy Boeing jets worth $4.5 bln 3. HeraldNet: Boeing reaches deals for 28 jets 4. Boeing wins 2.26 bln usd deal from Kuwait's ALAFCO for 787s and 737s 5. Boeing rings up $4.5B in sales in one day - Mar. 12, 2007 6. Boeing receives more than $4.5B in plane orders - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle): 7. KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | WA Boeing Continental 8. Boeing And Continental Announce Deal For More 787s :: Bernama.com 9. Business & Technology | Boeing wins $4.6 billion in jet orders in three deals | Seattle Times Newspaper 10. CaribJournal » Kuwait firm contracts for 12 Boeing 787s - 11. Boeing wins orders for 23 aircraft | Chicago Tribune 12. Flood Of Orders For Boeing: Kuwait, Continental, Volga-Dnepr - Biz News - Playfuls.com - Business & World 13. KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo - Continental orders 5 long-range 787 Dreamliners 14. Continental and others in huge Boeing deal - 13 Mar 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand Business and Personal Finance News 15. Kuwait leasing company finalizes orders for 18 Boeing planes 16. Continental Airlines Increases Its Commitment to the Long-Range, Fuel- Efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner 17. Boeing gets more orders for new 787 18. Continental adding to Dreamliner order | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle 19. CORRECTED - UPDATE 2-Continental, Others Buy Boeing Jets Worth $ | Autos & Transport | Reuters.co.uk 20. Boeing and Continental Announce Deal for More 787s, Including the 787-9 Launch Order for the Americas 21. SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Business -- Continental buys five more 787s, worth $900 million 22. Continental ordering five more Boeing 787s - Houston Business Journal: 23. GE Aviation, CFM win $630M in engine orders - Cincinnati Business Courier: 24. Boeing and ALAFCO Sign Deal for 12 787s and Next-Generation 6 737s 25. Continental orders five 787s 26. Continental increases Boeing 787 order |