Boeing's PIP Delivers On Promise To Cut Fuel Burnt

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Customers of Boeing's Next-Generation 737 are validating the benefits of the industry-leading Performance Improvement Package (PIP). This is one year after the first PIP airplane was delivered. PIP combines aerodynamic and engine performance improvements to reduce fuel burnt by up to two per cent and is part of the continuous innovation on the world's best-selling airplane. More than 420 Next-Generation 737s have now been delivered with PIP, Boeing said in a statement Wednesday. Japan Airlines Vice President of Flight Operation Engineering, Takeshi Katsurada said the PIP has contributed to a remarkable fuel mileage improvement compared to the non-PIP airplane. "We can validate its improvement through each delivery flight performance monitoring and also daily flight operation monitoring, to the extent of more than two per cent fuel mileage improvement," he added. Elements of the performance improvement package, provided at no charge to customers, have been gradually introduced on the 737 over the past year. "These improvements are important for our airline customers. "The improved fuel savings are part of our commitment to deliver market-leading value to the Next-Generation 737 customers. "Improving fuel efficiency by two per cent saves more than US$120,00 annually on each airplane and reduce the carbon footprint," said Beverly Wyse, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Vice President and General Manager of the 737 programme. Boeing began performance improvement testing in November 2010 with the goal of reducing fuel consumption by up to two per cent. Latest tests have shown that aircraft, which incorporate the performance improvement package, provide flydubai with up to 1.6 per cent reduced fuel burnt over non-PIP aircraft. "With a growing fleet, any savings we can make towards our fuel costs is positive from both a financial and environmental perspective. "We look forward to Boeing introducing the final part of the package, which will provide us with even greater fuel savings," said flydubai Chief Executive Officer, Ghaith Al Ghaith. -- BERNAMA