Boeing

South Korean airline Korean Air has finalised its order to buy 30 737 MAXs and two additional 777-300ER (extended range) aircraft from Boeing for $4bn.

The total order for 737 MAX could reach up to 52 aircraft if Korean Air exercises its options within the current order.

The deal is a part of Korean Air’s move to modernise its long-haul wide-body fleet of aircraft.

Korean Air’s order of Boeing 777-300ER is a twin-aisle aircraft with the capacity to carry 396 passengers. Boeing expects to upgrade its design and other features by next year.

Currently, Korean Air operates a fleet of 91 Boeing airplanes, including 737, 747 and 777 models. It also operates an all-Boeing cargo fleet of 28 747-400, 747-8 and 777 freighters.

"I am confident these new airplanes will play an important role in Korean Air’s fleet modernisation programme for many years to come."

Korean Air owns a fleet of 166 aircraft and operates more than 430 flights a day to 128 cities in 45 countries.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president Ray Conner said :"Korean Air is a valued Boeing customer and today’s order is the culmination of our longstanding partnership that spans over four decades.

"I am confident these new airplanes will play an important role in Korean Air’s fleet modernisation programme for many years to come."

Boeing’s 737 MAX features CFM international leap-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other improvements. The new range of 737 single-aisle airplane will start operating in 2017 and is expected to use 20% lesser fuel than its predecessors.

The 737 MAX already received 2,929 orders from 60 customers worldwide.

In October, Boeing signed an order with El Al Israel Airlines to supply up to nine 787 Dreamliners, valued at more than $2.2bn.

Image: Korean Air has finalised its order to buy 30 737 MAXs and two additional 777-300ER (extended range) aircraft from Boeing for$4bn. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.