Paris Air Show
Aerospace |
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Icelandair
Orders Four 757-300s
Paris (June 16, 1997) -- Boeing announced at the Paris Air Show today that Icelandair will be the second customer for new model Boeing 757 twinjets in a $272 million deal. The airline will purchase four Boeing 757 twinjets, including two 757-300s - a stretched version of the popular 757-200 and two 757-200s. Estimated value of the four airplanes is $272 million. The first 757-300 will be delivered to the airline in the second quarter of 2001, with the second in 2002. The 757-200s will be delivered in January 1998 and April 1999. Icelandair also has reserved options on eight additional 757s for possible delivery from 2000 to 2006.
Launched by Germany holiday airline Condor Fludienst at last September's Farnborough Air Show, the 757-300 represents a 7.1 meter (23 feet, 4 inches) lengthening of the fuselage of the popular 757-200. The 757-300 will have about 10 percent lower seat-mile operating costs than the 757-200, which already has the lowest seat mile operating cost in its market segment. In Icelandair's configuration, the 757-300 will seat 228, including 26
in the airline's saga business class. Range capability of the newest 757
will be 4,000 miles. Like the 757-200, it will be able to carry a full load
of passengers between any two points within the United States or Europe.
As a derivative, the aircraft will have the same flight deck and operating
systems, and very similar structure as the 757-200. Besides lengthening
the fuselage, other changes will include strengthening wings and landing
gear, and new tires, wheels and brakes. |
The airline, the flag carrier of Iceland, is celebrating
its 60th year of operations this year. It currently operates a fleet of
four 757-200s in transatlantic services and four 737-400s on European routes.