ALC_777-300ER

US-based Air Lease (ALC) has placed a $3.2bn firm order with Boeing for ten twin-engine, long-haul 777-300ER (extended range) airliners.

Air Lease president and chief operating officer John Plueger said that this order for 777-300ERs would help the company meet the growing airline demand for long-haul passenger aeroplanes.

"These 777-300ERs will enable our customers to grow and modernise their fleets," Plueger said.

"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."

ALC has ordered a total of 185 jetliners from Boeing including 78 Next-Generation 737s, 80 737 MAXs, 12 787 Dreamliners and 15 777-300ERs.

The Los Angeles-based lessor also has reconfirmation rights on 20 additional 737 MAX airliners.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes global sales senior vice president John Wojick said with the 777-300ER order, ALC continued to demonstrate value to its customers.

"These 777-300ERs will enable our customers to grow and modernise their fleets."

Powered by GE90-115B engines, the 777-300ERs can accommodate up to 386 passengers in a three-class configuration.

The airliner, which is an extended version of twin-engine 777-300, has a maximum range of 7,825nm.

As of the end of January, Boeing delivered 1,072 of its 777s and received 1,441 orders from 66 operators worldwide.

ALC and its team are involved in purchasing commercial aeroplanes and leasing them to airline partners globally through customised aircraft leasing and financing solutions.

In February, Boeing delivered the first long-range wide-body 777 Freighter built at an increased production rate of 8.3 a month, or 100 aeroplanes annually, to South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air.

Image: ALC stated that the new 777-300ERs will allow it to cater to the growing airline demand for long-haul passenger jets. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

Defence Technology