US lessor Air Lease Corp (ALC) today tripled its orderbook for Boeing 777-300ERs, signing a contract for 10 new widebodies valued at $3.2 billion.

The order announced by Boeing brings ALC's total order for the type to 15, including an order for five signed in August 2011.

"The 777 offers our clients the most economical, fuel efficient and versatile airplane in the 300-400 seat range, suitable for a variety of profitable missions," says ALC president and chief operating officer John Plueger.

The award comes less than a month after ALC signed a deal for 20 Airbus A350-900s and five A350-1000s.

Boeing's announcement did not include a delivery timeline for ALC's latest 777 order.

Among Boeing's 777 customers, ALC chief executive Steven Udvar-Hazy has been among the most outspoken about calling for the manufacturer to be patient about launching the re-engined and re-winged 777X project.

Udvar-Hazy instead is more impatient for the launch of the 787-10X double-stretch. ALC has 12 787-9s on order since December 2007. In November, Udvar-Hazy told market analysts that he wanted Boeing to add slightly more range before launching the 787-10X.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news