Boeing Jet airways

Indian private air carrier Jet Airways has placed orders for an additional 17 mid-range, single-aisle 737-800 aircraft with Boeing by converting its options contract into a purchase agreement.

A Jet Airways executive said the aircraft will join its fleet over the next 18 months and will be used to replace planes that are currently on lease. The company may also convert its wide-body aircraft order to narrow-body aircraft. Both companies have not divulged the details of the deal, but according to reports it is expected to be in the region of $1.4bn.

Jet Airways ordered the Boeing 737s in 2007 when it was striving to cut operating costs and the order included an option to buy more. The airline currently operates a fleet of 100 planes, including 43 737-800 aircraft, and owns about 40, while the remainder are under lease.

The new Boeing 737-800s will feature quiet cabins featuring Sky Interior and LED lighting offering different colour schemes including a soft blue sky and a relaxing pallet of sunset colours. The aircraft is offered in four versions with a seating capacity of 110-220 passengers.

US-based Boeing said that the 737 is its best-selling commercial airliner with over 8,800 orders. Jet Airways offers flights to 76 cities in 24 international destinations such as London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Toronto, New York and Brussels.

Image: Boeing has previously delivered Boeing 737 aircraft to Jet Airways. Photo: Rick Schlamp.