Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that SkyEurope Airlines, the multi-based Central European low-cost airline, has converted purchase rights for five Next-Generation 737-700s into orders.
SEATTLE – The airline now has a total order commitment for 21 Next-Generation 737 airplanes, through lease and direct purchase agreements, of which five have been delivered and are operating in the airline’s all-Boeing fleet. The newly ordered airplanes, to be delivered in 2008, have an estimated value of US$ 295 million. All of SkyEurope’s new airplanes are equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets.
„The introduction of the Next-Generation 737 in our fleet has generated tremendous positive response from our passengers“, said Christian Mandl, CEO of SkyEurope Airlines. „Passengers love the spacious cabin and leather seats, while we benefit every day from the simplified and cost-effective operations,“ added Alain Skowrenek, the airline’s chairman.
„The Boeing Next-Generation 737 is based on the premise of adding value to its operators through simplicity and reliability,“ said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Europe & Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. „SkyEurope is already reaping the benefits of the 737’s outstanding on-time performance, quick turnaround times and operational flexibility. It is extremely satisfying that SkyEurope attributes part of its success to the 737.“
SkyEurope Airlines, with its multi-hub philosophy, offers 70 routes from Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, Prague and Bratislava to 37 destinations in 19 countries.
As of May 31, 2006, the Next-Generation Boeing 737 has received orders for more than 3,200 units to carriers worldwide. Orders for this airplane family (the 737-600, -700, -800, -900, and -900ER) have eclipsed the 3,132 orders for the Classic 737 airplane family. The 737 is the preferred airplane for low-cost carriers. Almost 80 percent of the airplanes operated by the top 20 low-cost carriers are Boeing Next-Generation 737s.