SEATTLE, Nov. 17, 1999 -- The Boeing Company today welcomed City Bird S.A., an international carrier based in Brussels, as the newest member of the Boeing Next-Generation 737 family of operators. The airline will become the first Belgian operator of Next-Generation 737 airplanes.
This new relationship is part of a leasing agreement between City Bird and Boullioun Aviation Services, Inc. City Bird will lease two Next-Generation 737-800s from Boullioun.
"Boeing is pleased that City Bird will join the growing family of Next-Generation 737 operators," said Tom Basacchi, Boeing senior vice president - Europe/Russia Sales. "Boullioun Aviation Services, a valued Boeing customer for more than 13 years, is playing a major role in bringing City Bird and The Boeing Company together, and we expect this to be a long and prosperous relationship for everyone."
Under a new expansion plan, City Bird will begin operating regular charter flights throughout Europe this December using two 737-400s until the Next-Generation 737-800s deliver in 2001. City Bird currently operates two Boeing 767-300ERs and three MD-11s on scheduled routes between Belgium and North American cities.
"We are looking forward to operating the new Boeing 737-800s - on our route network, which will be established with valuable connections between Brussels and major tour destinations in Europe and North Africa," said Victor Hasson and Georges Gutelman, CEOs, City Bird. "We are proud to be the first Belgian airline to operate the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800, which we believe will provide better reliability and comfort than any other airliner in its class. In addition, the 737-800 offers slightly higher capacity than competing models, presenting the opportunity to achieve better value for our customers. Of course, the 737-800's higher cruising altitude and slightly better range also figured in our decision."
"Boullioun Aviation Services is always pleased to help forge positive new relationships within the airline industry," said Boullioun President and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Genise. "City Bird's management has impressed us with its industry experience and its energy in building a leading airline within Europe. And as a significant customer of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, we are extremely impressed by the 737-800."
Seattle-based Boullioun Aviation Services is part of Deutsche Bank's structured finance division. Boullioun provides aircraft on operating leases to airlines throughout the world, in its own name and through a 35.5 percent interest in Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise. The two companies' combined portfolios contain 63 aircraft with a total book value of US$2.3 billion, and firm orders for 37 Boeing 737s and 777s, plus options on 40 additional airplanes.
The 737 family delivers value to airlines through high reliability, simplicity and reduced operating and maintenance costs. The Next-Generation 737-600/-700/-800/-900 models offer flight-deck commonality with earlier 737 models and allow flight crews to maintain the same type-ratings. With more than 4,300 orders placed by customers worldwide, the Boeing 737 family is the best-selling commercial jetliner in the world.
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