Boeing Squeezes Orders In By Rebecca Rayko, Associate Editor Farnborough, England - Just when it appeared that Boeing would be totally overshadowed by its European rival down the row of chalets, the Seattle-based manufacturer pulled through with some significant orders today with a total value of almost $2.8 billion. GE Capital placed a $1.6 billion order for nine Boeing 767-300ERs and three 767-400ERs for delivery in 1999 through 2002. The aircraft will be powered by GE CF6-80C2 engines in a deal woth $200 million to the engine manufacturer. GECAS also has 89 Boeing narrowbodies on order and not yet delivered. Another leasing company, GATX Capital, purchased five Next Generation 737-800s in a deal worth another $250 million for Boeing. The balance of Boeing orders today came from airline customers. Scandinavian Airlines Systems purchased five 737-600s and exercised options for nine Next Generation 737s from an order originally placed in 1995. Cronus Airlines, a Greek start-up carrier, ordered two 737-700s (one firm plus one option). Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2001. Cronus operates two 737-300s and one -400 model. Finally, PeaceAir of Sri Lanka launched its "dream of promoting peace, harmony and joy" with the purchase of a 747-400 combi today, its first aircraft. The carrier will provide cargo and passenger service, as well as offer direct flights to places of religious worship that most of the world's carriers find uneconomical to serve, it says. PeaceAir says it will purchase the $180 million airplane through private and bank funding. It also plans a public offering of around 45% of its shares in the near future. A memorandum of understanding was signed today, although the delivery is scheduled just three months away for mid-December.