USA: Southwest Airlines Celebrates 10,000th 737 Aircraft

Thousands of Boeing employees gathered at the company’s Renton, Washington factory to celebrate the 10,000th 737 to come off the production line.

With this airplane, a 737 MAX 8 for Southwest Airlines, the 737 has broken the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most produced commercial jet aircraft model.

This incredible milestone is a testament to the work we do every day to build the most reliable and efficient single-aisle airplane in the world, said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Kevin McAllister.

It represents more than 50 years of success and achievement on the part of thousands of Boeing employees past and present, our supplier partners, and our airline customers around the globe who put their confidence in the 737.

The 737 previously held this GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title in 2006 for the 5,000th airplane to come out of the Renton factory, a mark that took almost four decades to reach.

Due to growing market demand and higher production rates, the 737 program reached the 10,000th airplane milestone only 12 years later.

The speed at which Boeing achieved this new milestone is very impressive, said Michael Empric, official adjudicator for GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.

We are excited to once again recognize the 737 and the important role it plays in commercial aviation.

Boeing will increase 737 production from the current rate of 47 airplanes per month to 52 airplanes per month later this year.

The 737 program has more than 4,600 airplanes still on order fueled by sales of the newest version of the 737, the 737 MAX.

737 Facts:

- A 737 takes off or lands every 1.5 seconds

- On average, more than 2,800 737s are in the air at any given time

- More than 22 billion people have flown on a 737

- The 737 has flown more than 122 billion miles, the equivalent of 5 million times around Earth



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Demand For 5000 New Airplanes in Asia-Pacific

Boeing presented its Current Market Outlook for the Southeast Asia and Oceania regions during the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ 60th annual Assembly of Presidents meeting in Manila.

Over the next 20 years, the company forecasts a demand for 3,860 new airplanes, valued at $565 billion, in Southeast Asia; while an investment of $160 billion for 1,020 new airplanes is expected in the Oceania region.

“Southeast Asia and Oceania remain important markets for Boeing as airlines continue to add capacity, modernize their fleets and shift their business models to adapt to this competitive market,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“While we see the majority of the demand being for single-aisle airplanes such as the 737 MAX, fuel-efficient twin-aisle airplanes such as the 787 Dreamliner and the 777X will also be needed, enabling airlines to profitably open new routes, never before possible.”

The annual report projects that more than 75 percent of the airplanes needed in both regions will be for single-aisle airplanes, as they continue to see a rise in the number of low cost carriers as well as strong annual traffic, with growth rates of 6.4 percent and 4.7 percent, for Southeast Asia and Oceania, respectively.

Worldwide, Boeing projects a demand for 39,620 new airplanes, over the next two decades. Boeing’s Current Market Outlook is the longest running jet forecast and regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the aviation industry.

Boeing And Nok Air Unite To Provide Humanitarian Aid Flight

With the help of the international non-profit organization Vital Voices, whose mission is to invest in and empower women leaders, the airline’s 22nd Next-Generation 737-800 will transport and deliver nearly 30 boxes full of relief items including clothes and school supplies.

The items are headed to The Children’s Advocacy Center Thailand (ACT), a non-profit organization dedicated to better the lives of abused children and youth in Thailand. Representatives from ACT will deliver the aid to impacted children and youth throughout Thailand.

“We are honored to play an important role for the well-being of our children and youth,” said Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin. “Providing timely supplies to those in need will affect the lives of many in the region. Nok Air is proud to continue playing a vital role in cultivating the well-being of our community.”

As part of the Global Corporate Citizenship program, Boeing is committed to building better communities worldwide.

“We are honored that Nok Air partnered with The Boeing Company to deliver humanitarian aid to the many children in Thailand who are in need,” said Sam Whiting, Director, Global Corporate Citizenship, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“We look forward to working closely with Nok Air and non-profit organizations like ACT in Thailand to identify future opportunities.”

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, Nok Air is a low-cost carrier that operates an all-Boeing fleet. As part of a tradition in naming its new airplanes, Nok Air has designated this particular airplane ‘Fah Kram,’ which means blue skies.

The airline currently has two additional Next-Generation 737s on order with Boeing after today’s delivery. Nok Air is also a 737 MAX customer with eight 737 MAX 8 airplanes on order.

CHINA: China Southern Airlines' Commitment For 80 737s

Boeing is pleased that China Southern Airlines has announced a commitment to purchase 80 737s. The commitment includes a combination of 30 Next-Generation 737s and 50 737 MAX airplanes, valued at $8.38 billion at current list prices.

"China Southern's commitment is a solid endorsement of the popularity of the Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president, Northeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We share an enduring partnership with China Southern and we are excited to see that the 737 airplanes will play an important role in their continued success."

NORWAY: Norwegian And Boeing Conclude Deal For Order Of 19 787-9 Dreamliners

Boeing and Norwegian have finalized an order for 19 787-9 Dreamliners valued at more than $5 billion at current list prices. The order also includes options for 10 more 787-9s, as the carrier looks to significantly grow its existing long-haul fleet into the next decade. It is the largest single order for 787-9s from a European airline.

Norwegian currently operates eight 787-8s and has previously ordered 11 787-9s through lease agreements. With today's order, the carrier, headquartered in Oslo, will expand its total 787 fleet to nearly 40 airplanes in the coming years.

"This order of 19 new Dreamliners is a major milestone and enables Norwegian to offer a wide range of new routes to consumers worldwide. The order is also essential to further strengthening the company in the global competition," said Bjorn Kjos, Norwegian's CEO. "After two years of operating low-cost long-haul flights, our load factors have averaged in the nineties, which proves the demand for affordable flights between Europe and the US and Europe and Asia. Future growth and competiveness in the long-haul market depends on the fuel-efficient, state-of-the art 787 Dreamliner. Not least, the Dreamliner offers the best passenger experience."

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 6 meters (20 feet) over the 787-8, the 787-9 can fly up to 20 percent more passengers and 23 percent more cargo farther yet with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace.

"Norwegian has led the way in utilizing the exceptional performance of the 787 to develop a successful low-cost long-haul operation," said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The addition of 787-9s to the Norwegian fleet will enable it to grow its route structure, while providing more range and capacity with outstanding passenger comfort."

The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as the industry's largest windows, large overhead bins with room for everyone's bag, modern LED lighting, air that is cleaner, more humid and at a higher pressure for greater comfort and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.

Norwegian serves more than 130 destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the USA and Southeast Asia, with a fleet that includes 90 Next-Generation 737-800s and eight 787-8s.

In 2014 the airline carried nearly 24 million passengers and has won numerous awards for its onboard service, including a SkyTrax award for 'Best low-cost long-haul airline.' With today's order for 19 787-9s, Norwegian has more than 150 unfilled orders from Boeing, including 100 737 MAXs