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ATW Daily News
Iraqi government finalizes 737 order as key step to fleet renewal
Tuesday May 6, 2008
Boeing yesterday finalized and revealed details of the Iraqi government's order for 30 737-800s plus 10 options and said it is in the process of finalizing an order for 10 787s, calling the aircraft purchase agreements "the first step in reestablishing that country's scheduled commercial aviation operations."
Iraqi Airways, long restricted by international sanctions, no-fly zones and wars, is operating limited services using older aircraft from Baghdad to Amman and Cairo. It also is operating flights to/from Erbil and likely will benefit from the regional government's $300 million plan to build a new 16-gate passenger terminal and add a third runway spanning 15,000 ft.
Boeing valued the 737-800 order, which was announced previously (ATWOnline, April 1), at $2.2 billion. It said it is ironing out terms of the 787 order, "which will allow an Iraqi national airline to provide longer-range commercial service." None of the aircraft are expected to be delivered until at least 2010.
Iraqi Finance Minister Baqir Jabr Al-Zubeidi said the aircraft orders mark "a new beginning for Iraq." Iraqi Airways has said it plans to use the newer aircraft to expand services beyond the Middle East. In March, Bombardier announced an order from the Iraqi government for six CRJ900 NextGens plus four options (ATWOnline, March 14).
In addition to the orders, Boeing reached agreement with the government to "offer advice and expertise in areas such as the planning and development of airport infrastructure throughout Iraq; helping train aviation sector personnel; aiding in the selection and acquisition of airline support equipment; and arranging for cost-effective maintenance and service solutions for used aircraft obtained prior to new airplane deliveries."
by Aaron Karp
Iraqi government finalizes 737 order as key step to fleet renewal
Tuesday May 6, 2008
Boeing yesterday finalized and revealed details of the Iraqi government's order for 30 737-800s plus 10 options and said it is in the process of finalizing an order for 10 787s, calling the aircraft purchase agreements "the first step in reestablishing that country's scheduled commercial aviation operations."
Iraqi Airways, long restricted by international sanctions, no-fly zones and wars, is operating limited services using older aircraft from Baghdad to Amman and Cairo. It also is operating flights to/from Erbil and likely will benefit from the regional government's $300 million plan to build a new 16-gate passenger terminal and add a third runway spanning 15,000 ft.
Boeing valued the 737-800 order, which was announced previously (ATWOnline, April 1), at $2.2 billion. It said it is ironing out terms of the 787 order, "which will allow an Iraqi national airline to provide longer-range commercial service." None of the aircraft are expected to be delivered until at least 2010.
Iraqi Finance Minister Baqir Jabr Al-Zubeidi said the aircraft orders mark "a new beginning for Iraq." Iraqi Airways has said it plans to use the newer aircraft to expand services beyond the Middle East. In March, Bombardier announced an order from the Iraqi government for six CRJ900 NextGens plus four options (ATWOnline, March 14).
In addition to the orders, Boeing reached agreement with the government to "offer advice and expertise in areas such as the planning and development of airport infrastructure throughout Iraq; helping train aviation sector personnel; aiding in the selection and acquisition of airline support equipment; and arranging for cost-effective maintenance and service solutions for used aircraft obtained prior to new airplane deliveries."
by Aaron Karp