By Chris Genna, Contributing Editor
Le BOURGET - The Boeing Co. announced orders Thursday for 25 jetliners
from five different airlines, deals which put Boeing's total sales at
the 1999 Paris Air Show over $3 billion.
Boeing announced Southwest Airlines ordered six more 737-700s to add to
the Dallas-based carrier's all-737 fleet. No price was quoted; but the
planes, which will be delivered next year and in 2001, list for $41-49
million each, making the deal worth more than $240 million.
TAROM Romanian Air Transport signed up for eight Next-Generation 737s
-- four 737-700s and four -800s -- to serve expanding routes in the
Middle East and Europe. The Romanian national airline, which now
operates 737-300s, will start getting its new -700s at the end of next
year, Boeing said. Again, no price was mentioned but low list prices
would put the value of the deal at about $380 million.
Vienna-based Lauda Air placed an order for a single 767-300ER, or
extended range model, which has a list price of $105-117 million.
Hapag-Lloyd exercised one of the eight options it secured in 1994 when
it launched the 737-800. This plane, the German inclusive tour
carrier's 17th 737-800, will be delivered next spring. As with the
earlier deliveries, it will be used to replace 737-400s and -500s with
which it flies tours to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and
Caribbean. The 737-800 lists for $51-$57.5 million after Boeing's
general price increases last year, but Hapag doubtlessly got a
launch-era bargain price.
Finally, Boeing announced that Delta airlines purchased nine jets, six
737-800s, one 757-200 and two 767-300ERs in what Boeing called a
"conversion of options" that reflects the Atlanta, Ga.-based line's
plans for fleet modernization and modest growth. No price was
mentioned, but from list prices, the deal might be worth $600 million.
Boeing said all the deals bring total orders for the year to 118 - 62
of those announced at the Paris Air Show. That total doesn't include an
order for 50 Next-Generation 737s by International Lease Finance Corp.
ILFC CEO Steven F. Udvar-Hazy said paperwork for that order should be
signed next month, but no business issues remain to be settled.
