DTN News: Boeing And Turkish Airlines Finalize Order For Seven Additional 777-300ERs

DTN News: Boeing And Turkish Airlines Finalize Order For Seven Additional 777-300ERs *Source: DTN News / Boeing

(NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE - July 29, 2009: Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Turkish Airlines have finalized an order for seven Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes valued at $1.9 billion at current list prices. This order is in addition to the five 777-300ERs that Turkish Airlines ordered in April 2009, bringing their total 777-300ER orders to 12.

The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The world's largest twinjet and commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven", the aircraft can carry between 283 and 368 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a range from 5,235 to 9,380 nautical miles (9,695 to 17,372 km). Distinguishing features of the 777 include the largest diameter turbofan engines of any aircraft, six wheels on each main landing gear, its circular fuselage cross-section, and the blade-like end to the tail cone.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 65 Boeing airplanes including Next-Generation 737s and leased 777-300ERs. "The 777-300ER already provides Turkish Airlines with exceptional fuel economy, efficiency, reliability and high levels of cabin comfort for their passengers, combined with unmatched levels of payload and range." said Aldo Basile, vice president of Sales for Europe and Russia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This additional order is a further confirmation of Turkish Airline's plans for international expansion and their confidence in the abilities of the 777-300ER to help them meet these goals." The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world's most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Fifty-six customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s. Turkish Airlines is one of the fastest growing and prosperous airlines in the world. It carries approximately 20 million passengers a year, with direct flights to 108 international and 33 domestic destinations. The airline was founded in 1933 with a fleet of five airplanes that carried a total of 28 passengers. The airline made its first domestic flight in 1933 and the first international flight in 1947. This order will be posted to the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web site when it is refreshed on July 30.