Boeing Commercial Aircraft will build four new 787-8 jets for Russia’s Transaero Airlines in a new contract valued at $744 million. The delivery schedule for Transaero was not made clear.
The “Dreamliner” is a wide-body twin-engine aircraft with long range and carrying capacity for 210 to 330 passengers. Boeing has called it the most fuel-efficient commercial jet in its portfolio, noting it is designed with a structure based on a large volume of composite materials helping to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% versus similar-size jets. A more advanced aerodynamic design than previous jets, more-electric systems, and modern engines add to the 787’s appeal to airlines.
More than 850 787s are on order by 59 customers worldwide. Though its delivery schedule was delayed several times by design, production, and testing problems, the Dreamliner has proven successful since the first deliveries began last fall.
Transaero was Russias first private airline and the first airline in that nation to introduce a Boeing airplane to its fleet. Now it is Russia’s second-largest airline and operates 737, 747, 767, and 777 jets.
"Our history with Boeing goes back to 1993 when Transaero became the first airline in Russia to fly with Boeing aircraft," stated Transaero Airlines chairman Alexander Pleshakov. "Following our innovative approach and our continuous efforts to enhance our product quality, we have chosen the state-of-the-art, highly-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It is very symbolic that our airline became a participant of the first order announcement ceremony conducted in the air on board the 787. Boeing 787s will perform flights on both Transaero's domestic and international routes."
"Boeing and Transaero enjoy an almost two-decades-long partnership and we are opening a great new chapter together with the 787 Dreamliner," said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We look forward to working with Transaero to offer the airline's passengers the unprecedented comfort of the 787 Dreamliner and our continued partnership with this great airline."
