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A deal for 50 aircraft worth $5.5 billion at current list prices was disclosed today by Malaysia Airlines.
The transaction covers new generation Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including 25 firm orders and 25 purchase rights, with deliveries due from 2019.
The airline’s chief executive Peter Bellew hailed the deal as a “game-changer” due to the lower operating costs and greater efficiency offered by the new aircraft.
This will allow lower faces to be passed onto passengers.
“With the 737 MAX’s longer range capabilities, we will be able to connect our passengers to more destinations, in greater comfort and with superior economics,” Bellew added.
Malaysia Airlines currently operates 56 737-800s. It will take delivery of a mix of higher capacity 180-seat 737 MAX 9 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Bellew said: “Malaysia Airlines is now on a path to growth across the Asean region. This new aircraft order will set the stage for our continued recovery and success into the next decade.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ Asia Pacific and India sales senior vice president, Dinesh Keskar, said: “The 737 MAX will continue the superior operating economics and reliability of the 737 that Malaysia Airlines has depended on for more than 40 years.”