Boeing on July 16 successfully completed the final design review (FDR) for P-8I, India's long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The P-8I, based on the Boeing 737 commercial airplane, is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy.

Completion of the FDR locks in the design for the aircraft, radar, communications, navigation, mission computing, acoustics and sensors, as well as the ground and test support equipment. It also paves the way for the program to begin assembling the first P-8I aircraft.

"For P-8I, we are incorporating not only India-unique design features, but also India-built subsystems, so this agreement that the design addresses all customer requirements is a huge milestone," said Leland Wight, P-8I program manager for Boeing. "It also leads us to the program's next stage: We are on track to start fabricating the P-8I's empennage section before the end of this year."

During the five-day FDR held in Renton, Wash., Indian Navy officers met with Boeing representatives from Defense, Space & Security and Commercial Airplanes to review relevant design information and performance against specifications.

"The P-8I's unique capabilities are tailored to India's maritime-patrol requirements. It has the reach and capability to defend India's vast coastline and maritime waters," said Vivek Lall, India country lead, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Boeing will deliver the first P-8I to India within 48 months of the original contract signing, which took place in January 2009. India is the first customer for the P-8 outside the United States.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, July 26, 2010 6:00 AM EDT

Boeing and Alaska Airlines today announced the carrier has exercised options for two additional Next-Generation 737-800s.



Valued at approximately $153 million at list prices, the Alaska order was posted to Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website in June and attributed to an unidentified customer.

"Alaska Airlines continues to execute a successful and strategic vision based on its expansive fleet of efficient and reliable Next-Generation 737s," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Alaska celebrated its transition to a single fleet in 2008 and with these additional orders, is truly reaping the benefits represented by its slogan, 'Proudly all-Boeing.'

"Through its close partnership with Boeing, and working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Airlines is also expanding the use of advanced navigational and flight guidance procedures that leverage the superior performance capabilities of the Next-Generation 737. These procedures reduce flight times and congestion and result in lower fuel consumption and emissions into the environment," Dailey said.

"Our financial performance has been strong, and expanding our fleet with these two new 737-800s will not only help us fly more efficiently but also launch new service for our customers, provide positive returns for investors and ultimately, bring some of our furloughed employees back to work," said Alaska Airlines' President Brad Tilden.

Including today's order, Alaska will take delivery of 13 Next-Generation 737s over the next several years. Alaska Airlines has 116 737s in its fleet, including 55 737-800s.

Operating a highly efficient and flexible all-Boeing 737 fleet, Alaska Airlines has established an enviable track record of operational and financial performance. The reliability and flexibility of its 737 fleet has enabled the airline to grow throughout the highly competitive North America market.

The Boeing 737-800 is the best-selling version of the successful Next-Generation 737 family. Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-800 is selected by leading carriers throughout the world because it provides operators the flexibility to serve a wide range of markets.

To date, more than 125 customers have placed orders for more than 5,400 Next-Generation 737s. Unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 exceed 2,000 airplanes, valued at more than $150 billion at average list prices.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, July 22, 2010 12:30 PM EDT/PRNewswire-FirstCall/

Boeing and Azerbaijan Airlines have signed an agreement to substitute two Next-Generation 737 airplanes for one 767-300ER (extended range) and two 767 Freighters, a new model type for the Baku, Azerbaijan-based airline. The substitution has been updated on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website.



"With our centralized geographic location, Azerbaijan is becoming a busy hub in the region between east and west and north and south," said Jahangir Askerov, president of Azerbaijan Airlines. "We are capitalizing on this development by expanding our long-haul passenger fleet and growing our cargo business with the proven efficiencies of the 767 Freighter."

Including today's announcement, Azerbaijan Airlines has a total of eight Boeing airplanes on order: two 767-300ERs, two 767 Freighters, two Next-Generation 737s and two 787-8s.

"With the economic recovery gaining momentum at various speeds around the world, our customers are making changes to their fleets to accommodate the upturn," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We have worked with Azerbaijan Airlines to make changes to its order book that meet its needs."

The Boeing 767 family is a complete family of clean, quiet, fuel-efficient airplanes that provide maximum market versatility in the 200- to 300-seat market. The Boeing 767 family includes three passenger models -- the 767-200ER, 767-300ER and 767-400ER -- and a medium-widebody freighter, which is based on the 767-300ER fuselage.

News Release Issued: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 22, 2010 4:24 AM EDT/PRNewswire-FirstCall/

RBS Aviation Capital today disclosed an order for 43 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s.

Valued at approximately $3.3 billion at average list prices, the RBS orders were posted to Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website in 2008 and 2009 and attributed to an unidentified customer.

RBS Aviation Capital is leasing the airplanes to its customers through 2015. Last week RBS took delivery of a 737-800 from Boeing, bringing to 125 the number of 737s the leasing company has purchased or financed.

“I am delighted that RBS Aviation Capital is continuing its excellent and long-standing relationships with Boeing,” said Peter Barrett, CEO, RBS Aviation Capital. “The Next-Generation 737 family has been instrumental in helping us create a highly successful global business that has pioneered the strategy of owning and leasing narrowbody, commodity aircraft types that are liquid, investor-friendly and easily tradeable. Our ongoing commitments to Boeing underline that we remain very positive on the outlook for both RBS Aviation Capital and the wider aircraft leasing sector.”

About RBS Aviation Capital

RBS Aviation Capital is a global business that ranks among the top five operating lessors by fleet value. The company’s strategy is to own and lease liquid, investor-friendly aircraft assets with continuous trading through the industry cycle to maximize profitability and manage risk, and there is a distinct focus on narrowbody, commodity aircraft types that cater to the robust LCC (Low Cost Carrier) market and are easily tradeable. Over the past six years, the company has profitably sold 158 commercial aircraft valued at more than $6 billion and its operating lease aircraft portfolio is currently valued at more than $8 billion. The company was founded in 2001 and now has 100 airline customers and 36 investor customers in 38 countries. It is headquartered in Dublin and has offices in London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, New York, Toulouse and Seattle.

Boeing press release, FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 21, 2010

Boeing and American Airlines, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMR Corp., today announced the airline has exercised options for an additional 35 Next-Generation 737-800s.



The order is part of American Airlines' ongoing fleet renewal plan, replacing MD-80s with fuel-efficient Next-Generation 737s. The 737-800 is 35 percent more fuel efficient on a seat-mile basis than the MD-80s it will replace.

"American Airlines is leveraging all the performance benefits of the Next-Generation 737 to enhance the airline's competitive position, while providing an enhanced passenger travel experience," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "American's investment in additional 737s demonstrates real confidence in the 737's technology and economics. In addition, the new interiors on its existing 737 fleet and the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior on deliveries starting in 2011 will ensure American's customers continue to enjoy an exceptional flying experience."

"The 737-800 provides additional amenities for our customers while helping to reduce our operating and fuel costs and lessen our impact on the environment," said Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer for American Airlines. "The 737 is a product that benefits all of American's stakeholders and is a good fit for our current fleet renewal plans."

Famous for its extremely efficient operation, high dispatch reliability and leading performance on coast-to-coast flights, the 737-800 remains the airplane of choice for airlines wanting to take advantage of new opportunities in the market.

Today's 35 new orders build on an order for 84 737s that began arriving in 2009. American currently expects to have a total of 195 737-800s in its single-aisle fleet by the end of 2012.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, July 21, 2010 9:39 AM EDT /PRNewswire-FirstCall/