Graham Warwick/ATLANTA
Boeing Business Jets has sold a corporate 737-700 to an unidentified customer. The order marks the first outside sale for the joint venture formed by Boeing and General Electric in July to market the new-generation 737 as a long-range business jet.
GE launched the programme with an order for two aircraft - the first to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 1998. The first outside sale was arranged by San Francisco-based aviation management and consulting firm Aviation Methods, and the aircraft will be delivered in late 1998. Boeing will deliver the green aircraft, costing $30.5 million, to a completion centre to be selected by the customer, for installation of the interior.
The corporate 737 is being offered in competition with the Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream V long-range business jets, both of which are capable of carrying eight passengers up to 12,000km (6,500nm) at Mach 0.85. Boeing says that the 737 business jet will cruise at up to M0.82, and its auxiliary fuel-tanks will allow a range approaching 11,000km.
Source: Flight International
