Aircraft

GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has placed an order for up to 60 Boeing 737 aircraft, including the -900ER variant.

The deal includes 30 firm orders and 30 options. It is valued at about $4 billion at list prices. Boeing says the contract includes -900ERs, the first time this type has been sold to a lessor (pictured below in an artist's impression flying with other 737 family members). Delivery of the firm orders begins in 2008. GECAS will take the last aircraft in 2010.

© Boeing

“We currently have more than 200 Boeing 737 aircraft in our fleet, leased to more than 30 different airline customers around the world,” says GECAS president and chief executive Henry Hubschman. “It is a very popular aircraft model and we quickly leased all of the [25] aircraft we ordered last year, so we needed more to satisfy our customers’ demand.”

“GECAS continues to demonstrate the great popularity of the 737 in the industry and is among our top 737 customers,” adds Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of leasing & asset management John Feren.

“We are especially pleased that GECAS has chosen the -900ER, the latest addition to the 737 family. We also appreciate that GECAS has also been instrumental in the introduction of the 737 to new customers throughout the world.”

DARREN SHANNON / WASHINGTON, DC