Tuesday, August 25, 2009

DTN News: Boeing Next-Generation 737s To Enhance WestJet Fleet Plans

DTN News: Boeing Next-Generation 737s To Enhance WestJet Fleet Plans *Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE, USA - August 25, 2009: Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Canadian airline WestJet today announced an order for 14 additional Next-Generation 737-700s. The airline currently flies an all-Boeing fleet of 81 Next-Generation 737s.WestJet Airlines Ltd. is a Canadian low-cost carrier based in Calgary, Alberta that flies within Canada and to the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. WestJet is the second largest Canadian carrier behind Air Canada. WestJet is a rarity in the airline industry in that it is non-unionized. Profit-sharing is credited for this fact. WestJet plans to be one of the world's top five most profitable international airlines, by 2016. WestJet is a public company with over 7,500 employees and 1.2 billion USD market capitalization. "WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada with a growing fleet of the world's most popular jetliner and has emerged as a leader among the world's airlines," said Kevin Schemm, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president, North America Sales. "We value our partnership with WestJet and its continued endorsement of the Next-Generation 737." WestJet also has announced a plan to reschedule 16 leased and direct-purchase airplanes. "The new order of Boeing 737-700s will enable us to continue serving our guests with one of the most modern fleets in the air," said Sean Durfy, WestJet president and CEO. "At the same time, we'll have enhanced flexibility to deliver on our vision of becoming one of the top five airlines in the world by 2016." Including today's order, WestJet has 54 additional Next-Generation 737s scheduled for delivery. Nearly 120 customers around the world have ordered more than 5,000 Next-Generation 737s. Boeing has more than 2,100 unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 valued at more than $158 billion at current list prices. Earlier this year, Boeing announced performance enhancements to the Next-Generation 737, which will reduce fuel consumption by 2 percent by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements.

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