Boeing is preparing to begin a five month flight-test programme with the 737-900ER, following the roll-out of the new twinjet model at its Renton plant near Seattle on 8 August.

Indonesian dancers escorted the latest Next Generation 737 variant along the south shores of Lake Washington as employees and 737 supplier representatives, local and Indonesian government officials and Indonesian launch customer, Lion Air, looked on. The ceremony was attended by Flight International’s US West Coast Editor Guy Norris, who took the accompanying pictures.

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The first 737-900ER will be delivered to Lion Air in the first half of next year. The Jakarta-based carrier launched the new model in July last year with an order for 30 737-900ERs. The 737-900ER has also been ordered by Continental Airlines, GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) and Sky Airlines. Futura International Airways and Excel Airways will begin operating 737-900ERs on lease from GECAS in 2008.

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The 737-900ER is the same size as the 737-900, but can carry an 26 additional passengers in a one-class configuration. It incorporates an additional pair of exit doors and a flat rear-pressure bulkhead that boosts maximum capacity to 215 passengers in a single-class layout.

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Source: Flight International

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