BOEING LAUNCHES NEW 737 ENGINE VARIANT, WITH AN ORDER FOR 496 AIRPLANES

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Boeing has launched the new engine
variant of the market-leading 737 , the 737 MAX, launched on Aug 30 with an
order commitments of 496 airplanes from five airlines.

The new family of aircraft, which are 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9,
builds on the strengths of the Next-Generation 737.

"The re-engined 737 will allow Boeing to continue to deliver the most fuel
efficient, most capable airplane with the lowest operating costs in the
single-aisle market," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and chief
executive officer Jim Albaugh.

In a statement Friday, he said this is coupled with industry leading
reliability and maintainability, which is what the customers want from Boeing.

"As a result, we are seeing overwhelming demand for this new and improved
version of the 737.

"We are working with our customers to finalize these and other agreements in
the weeks and months ahead," he said.

The new 737 family will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines
optimised for the 737 and it will have the lowest operating costs in the
single-aisle segment with a seven per cent advantage over the competition.

"Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017," Albaugh said.

When compared to a fleet of 100 of today's most fuel-efficient airplanes,
this new model will emit 277,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 and save nearly 175 million
pounds of fuel per year, which translates into US$85 million in cost savings.

The airplane’s fuel burn is expected to be 16 per cent lower than our
competitor’s current offering and four per cent lower than their future
offering.

The Boeing 737 is the world's most popular and reliable commercial jet
transport.

The 737 family has won orders for more than 9,000 airplanes.

"Boeing forecasts global demand for more than 23,000 airplanes in the 737’s
market segment over the next 20 years at a value of nearly US$2 trillion," the
statement added.