Boeing & Okay Airways Announce Commitment For 737s

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Boeing and Okay Airways Wednesday announced a commitment for 12 737s, including 8 737 MAX 8s, three 737 MAX 9s and one Next Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplane. The agreement valued at US$1.3 billion at current list prices is subject to approval of the Chinese government and will be posted to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared. "We have a long term strategy with Boeing. We are confident with the help of Boeing, we will be the best privately-owned airline in China," said Okay Airways' Chairman Wang Shusheng at a press conference on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow 2016 here. "The introduction of additional the 737s, including the new 737 MAX, will further modernise and ensure we operate the most efficient fleet well into the future," he added. The commitment will mark the first 737 MAX 9 order by a Chinese airline and bolsters Okay Airways's 737 MAX portfolio to 17. Included as part of the agreement, Okay Airways have rights to exercise options for eight additional 737 MAX 8 airplanes. "We are honoured to welcome Okay Airways as our newest 737 MAX 9 customer," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes' President and Chief Executive Officer, Ray Conner. "The reaffirmation of additional 737-900ERs and 737 MAX 8s is a testament to the success that Okay Airways has established with the 737 family. "We look forward to extending our partnership with Okay for decades to come," he added. Okay Airways, also the pioneer privately-owned airline in China, is headquartered in Beijing with its main hub at the Tianjin Binhai International Airport. The airline's fleet includes 14 737-800s, three 737-900ERs and one Boeing 737-300 Freighter in serving more than 100 domestic and international routes. The 737 MAX family builds on the success of the Next-Generation 737 offering the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market with 20 per cent lower fuel use and emissions than the first Next Generation 737s. The 737 MAX family has 3,072 orders from 62 customers worldwide. -- BERNAMA