OREANDA-NEWS. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Oman Air today announced an order for five Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ER airplanes at the 2013 Paris Air Show. The order, previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website, is valued at USD 473 million at current list prices.

With this order, Oman Air becomes the first customer in the Arabian Gulf region to order 737-900ERs. Currently, the airline operates a fleet of 15 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s and two 737-700s. With this new order, the airline now has a backlog of six 737-800s and five 737-900ERs. In addition, Oman Air has six Boeing 787-8s on order.

"The 737 is able to operate effectively in very hot climates and has proven itself with its dispatch reliability, ease of maintenance and efficient performance," said Wayne Pearce, chief executive officer, Oman Air. "These Next-Generation 737s will play a key role in supporting our efforts to strengthen and expand our network and boost tourism and business travel into Oman. The 737-900ER provides all the benefits of the Next-Generation 737 family, but with a higher seating capacity that gives us even better economics."

"Oman Air's order expands our customer base for the 737-900ER. We are very proud of our long-standing relationship with the airline which began over 12 years ago. Over the past decade, Oman Air has expanded its operations and destination network considerably, and we are proud to be playing a role in the airline's vision of the future," said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia. "The Next-Generation 737's record of unparalleled efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort make it the preferred airplane for airlines such as Oman."