Boeing wins $916 mln order from Monarch Air

Boeing Co., the world's second-largest maker of commercial aircraft, won an order from Monarch Airlines, a low-cost carrier in the UK, for six of its new 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, worth $916 million at list prices. Boeing will deliver the airplanes starting in 2010, it said in a joint statement with Monarch today. The Luton, England-based airline plans to use the planes for long-haul routes, on which it currently flies with Boeing 767s and Airbus SAS A300s and A330-200s. Monarch also has purchase rights for four more planes. „With the 787's longer-range capabilities, we will be opening up new destinations in the Americas, Asia and Africa,” Monarch CEO Peter Brown said in the statement. Since Boeing launched the 787 model in April 2004, it's received 420 orders and commitments from 32 customers, including 377 firm orders worth $59 billion at list prices, the Chicago-based planemaker said. The new plane has helped Boeing lead its larger European rival in orders this year. Toulouse, France-based Airbus won orders for 200 aircraft in the first seven months of the year, compared with 525 plane orders for Boeing.
Monarch’s shareholders have placed an order for six of the new aircraft, worth US$916 million at list prices, with purchase rights on a further four. The company’s current long-haul fleet is comprised of Airbus A330, A300 and Boeing 767 aircraft. The 787 aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery from the end of 2010, incorporate revolutionary cabin designs and will offer passengers improved onboard comfort with wider seats, seat back monitors, improved air conditioning, bigger windows, more stowage space, improved lighting and an altogether enhanced environment. Using 20% less fuel per passenger than similarly sized aircraft, the Boeing 787 is also designed for the environment with lower emissions and quieter takeoffs and landings.
Monarch’s CEO, Peter Brown commented, After months of extensive evaluation, we are delighted to have concluded that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is the ideal aircraft to replace Monarch’s existing fleet of wide-bodied aircraft. With delivery scheduled between 2010 and 2013, we are confident that their introduction into our fleet will provide us with an unbeatable product offering and greatly enhance the onboard passenger experience on our flights. Also commenting on the announcement, Marlin Dailey, senior vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia and central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airlines said, The 787 has proven appeal in the long-haul leisure market, with faster cruise speeds enabling shorter sector times on flights. Monarch passengers will now be able to take advantage of these as well as benefiting from the cabin enhancements within the aircraft, making for an all-round improved flying experience. Monarch currently operates a fleet of 28 aircraft, serving over 100 destinations world-wide. Services are split between scheduled and charter flights, with the airline carrying over 6 million passengers per year. (Bloomberg, flymonarch.com)