OREANDA-NEWS.   Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Belarus flag carrier Belavia Airlines have reached an agreement on an order for three Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. Valued at USD 272 million at current list prices, this is the first direct purchase of Boeing airplanes for Belavia.
"We are committed to bring the highest levels of comfort and convenience to our customers by continuing to operate the most reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft available today and in the future," said Anatoly Gusarov, director general, Belavia Belarusian Airlines. "The purchase of three Next-Generation 737-800s will make it possible to open new scheduled flights to destinations which currently are unavailable due to the remoteness of the base airport."
The new airplanes will be capable of carrying up to 189 passengers in economy class cabin. Belavia said it will use these airplanes on existing charter routes because the economic efficiency of the airplanes will reduce operational costs and the extended range will allow for non-stop flights to farther destinations, including Tenerife, Canary Islands and Dubai.
"We are delighted Belavia has chosen the Next-Generation 737 which will provide the airline with market-leading efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort, allowing Belavia to grow," said Marty Bentrott, vice president, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This is an important step in our cooperation with Belavia and it will allow Belavia and Boeing to build on a successful business partnership for many years to come."
The 737-800 is the best-selling version of the highly successful Next-Generation 737 family, the most technologically advanced airplanes in the single-aisle market. The Next-Generation 737's market success has been confirmed by investors who consistently rank it as the most preferred single-aisle airplane due to its wide market base, superior performance efficiency and lowest operating costs in its class.
Belavia Belarusian Airlines is based in the Minsk International Airport. Belavia serves a network of routes between European cities and the Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as several Middle East destinations. The airline's Boeing fleet currently consists of six 737-500s and seven 737-300s.