2001

Neuer Betreiber u.a : Hawaiian Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines, (American), (QantasLink)

SEATTLE, Feb. 01, 2001 -- Boeing has confirmed that Pembroke Group Limited, an Irish airplane financing, leasing and management group, has ordered two additional Boeing 717-200s. The two airplanes are scheduled for delivery in 2002.

The Dublin-based company already has ordered 25 717-200s. The first of those was delivered to airline customers in 2000.

"We are pleased with our success to date in placing the 717s we ordered earlier," said Shane Cooke, chief executive officer of Pembroke. "Our customers, as well as other 717 operators, are reporting that the performance of the 717 is excellent. We believe the 717 is the perfect replacement for the DC-9 and other aging 100-seat airplane types which are coming close to retirement."

The 717 is designed specifically for short-haul, high-frequency markets, and it makes an effective use of technology to drive down operating costs. The typical 717 has 106 seats in a two-class arrangement and offers passengers big jetliner comfort. Two advanced Rolls-Royce engines power the 717, making it the quietest airplane in its class.

"We're very pleased that the 717 is performing well in service with our airline customers," said Jim Phillips, vice president of the Boeing 717 program.

With today's Pembroke order, there now are a total of 153 firm orders for the 717-200. Currently, there are more than 40 717s in revenue service.

Pembroke manages a fleet of more than 50 airplanes leased to operators worldwide. Pembroke was founded in 1993, and in 1998 Rolls-Royce became a 50 percent shareholder of the group. GATX Capital this week agreed to purchase a 50 percent equity stake in the group. When the transaction is complete, Pembroke will be owned and controlled on a 50-50 basis by Rolls-Royce and GATX. Courtesy: Boeing

LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 20, 2001 -- The Boeing 717 is now certified for sale to operators in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Ukraine, according to Tom Croslin, chief project engineer of the 717 program, at the Long Beach Division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Croslin represented the program at a special ceremony at which he received certification documents from Anatoly Kruglov, chairman of the CIS Aviation Register, and from Yuri Kordyanin, deputy director of the Aviation Register of Ukraine (UKRAVIATRANS).

Certification of the 717 in the CIS and Ukraine opens the door to additional sales opportunities for the 717 in the former republics of the Soviet Union, including Ukraine. Issuance of the certificate culminates more than two months of intense activity supported by Boeing, the CIS Aviation Register, UKRAVIATRANS, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which cooperated in the process.

"The 717's robust design and the DC-9 family's excellent service history contributed to compliance of the Aviation Register's stringent airworthiness requirements," Croslin said.

The Aviation Register and Ukraine certified the DC-9 and DC-10 models in 1993.

LONG BEACH, Calif., March 01, 2001 -- The first 717-200 airliner for Hawaiian Airlines was delivered at a ceremony yesterday at the Boeing Long Beach Division.

"Hawaiian Airlines has a proud 71-year history of innovation in Hawaii, and today we open a new chapter in that history with the addition of the world's most advanced 100-seat aircraft to our inter-island fleet," said Paul Casey, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines at the event.

Hawaiian ordered 13 of the twinjets, with rights to purchase seven more, in September 1999. The 717s will replace the airline's 15 DC-9s, and will join 12 DC-10s, thus maintaining the airline's commitment to fly an all-Boeing fleet.

Hawaiian's 717s are configured to carry 123 passengers -- eight in first class and 115 in economy. They are scheduled to begin inter-island service on March 15, 2001.

"With the delivery of the first Boeing 717 to Hawaiian Airlines, it is a great honor to continue the partnership that has spanned 60 years with Douglas, McDonnell Douglas, and now Boeing, " said Jim Phillips, vice president of the 717 program and vice president of the Long Beach Division.

Founded as Inter-Island Airways, Hawaiian Airlines launched its first commercial airline service in Hawaii in November 1929, and over the years has relied heavily on DC-3s, DC-9s and DC-10s.

The Boeing 717 is built specifically for short-range, high frequency routes. It makes effective use of the latest technology, resulting in low operating costs. The 717 produces the lowest noise and emissions in its class, provides big-jet passenger comfort and offers breakthrough simplicity in design.

Courtesy: Boeing

SEATTLE, April 10, 2001 -- The Boeing Company confirmed today that Midwest Express Airlines, recently ranked the No. 1 Domestic Airline by the 2001 Zagat Airline Survey, has selected the 717 for its fleet modernization program. Midwest Express has signed a memo of understanding to order up to 50 Boeing 717-200 airplanes.

Once a firm contract is signed, it will consist of a firm order for 20 717 airplanes, with options for an additional 30. The value of the firm order will be $750 million, with deliveries scheduled to begin in February 2003, continuing into 2006.

Midwest Express, based in Milwaukee, Wis., initiated revenue service in 1984 and currently operates a fleet of 34 airplanes in scheduled service, including 24 DC-9s and 10 MD-80 aircraft. In 2000, Midwest Express carried 2.1 million passengers. The airline will use the new 717s to expand capacity on existing routes, to launch new service to cities not currently served, and eventually as replacements for existing DC-9s. Midwest Express will configure its new 717s with 88 seats.

"The 717 is an excellent fit for us," said Timothy Hoeksema, chairman, president and CEO of Midwest Express Airlines. "It allows us to continue to provide the product that has become our hallmark. Wide two-across leather seating is an important component of that product."

The Boeing 717-200 is the only new 100-passenger short-range jetliner in revenue service today and makes effective use of the latest technology, resulting in low operating costs. The 717 produces the lowest noise and emissions, offering big-jet passenger comfort and breakthrough simplicity in design. Two advanced Rolls-Royce engines power the 717, making it the quietest airplane in its class.

In comparison to Midwest Express' current fleet of DC-9s, the 717 will provide 25 percent better fuel consumption and a similar level of savings in maintenance.

"Boeing is delighted and honored that Midwest Express has the confidence to select the 717 for its fleet modernization program," said Seddik Belyamani, Boeing executive vice president - Sales. "The 717 will improve the profitability of Midwest Express in the future as the airline expands capacity on existing routes and opens new routes. As other major U.S. carriers see how well the 717 airplane works for Midwest, we believe they too will want to add the airplane to their fleets. Working together with Midwest is going to be exciting, and we are thrilled by this decision."

Since taking to the skies in 1984, Midwest Express Airlines has earned its reputation for providing "the best care in the air" by offering passengers premium service at competitive coach or discounted fares. The airline is known for giving passengers personal attention, two-across, wide leather seats, fine food served on china with complimentary wine or champagne, and baked-onboard chocolate chip cookies on luncheon flights.

This unique combination of impeccable, personal service at competitive prices has brought recognition to the Milwaukee-based airline. In March 2001, Midwest Express was named the No. 1 Domestic Airline in the prestigious 2001 Zagat Airline Survey; the airline also ranked No. 1 in the last Zagat survey in 1998. In 2000, Conde Nast Traveler magazine rated Midwest Express as the "No. 1 U.S. Airline" for the sixth year in a row, and Travel+Leisure magazine named Midwest Express the "Best Domestic Airline" for the third time in four years.

Midwest Express Airlines, which caters mostly to business travelers, features primarily nonstop service to major destinations throughout the United States. Astral Aviation, Inc. - its wholly owned subsidiary - operates Skyway Airlines, The Midwest Express Connection, which offers connections to Midwest Express as well as point-to-point service between select markets. Together, the airlines fly to 49 cities. Courtesy: Boeing

LONG BEACH, Calif., April 12, 2001 -- One of four new Trans World Airlines (TWA) 717-200 passenger jets departed under an arch of water at the Boeing Long Beach Division in California Thursday, April 12. This is the first time an airline customer has taken delivery of four airplanes the same day. The 717s lined up and took off in sequence from the Long Beach Municipal Airport and then performed a low-level pass near the company's facility before heading to St. Louis, Mo. The twinjets - flown by a team of eight TWA pilots - were the initial four of 15 717s scheduled for delivery this year to TWA. Currently, TWA has 15 717s in revenue service. The airplanes carry 111 passengers in a two-class arrangement. This week, American Airlines announced that it had completed acquisition of most of the assets of TWA, including its 717 airplanes. Courtesy: Boeing

SEATTLE, May 16, 2001 -- The Spanish airline Aerolineas de Baleares, S. A. (AeBal) yesterday took delivery of its fourth Boeing 717-200. The airplane is the first 717-200 AeBal has leased from Pembroke Group Limited, a Dublin, Ireland-based financing, leasing and management group.

AeBal, which is based in Palma de Mallorca, will use the airplane on scheduled service, operating both domestic and international routes for Spanair, the second-largest scheduled airline in Spain. AeBal's 717s will serve Spanair's key hubs and develop new routes for the fastest-growing Spanish carrier.

"The 717 is the most efficient 100-seat airplane in the marketplace today," said José Jaume, chief executive officer of AeBal. Jaume said the 717 has enjoyed a dispatch reliability of more than 99 percent during its first year of operation.

Pembroke has ordered 27 Boeing 717s, the first of which was delivered to airline customers in 2000.

"The 717 is the perfect airplane for scheduled operators like AeBal who fly an airplane many times a day on short routes," said Garry Burke, Pembroke chief executive officer. "The 717 is at its most efficient when it is flying one- or two-hour flights all day long, day after day. It's ideal for the short-haul market."

The environmentally friendly 717-200 brings full-size jetliner comfort, low operating costs and high schedule reliability to short-haul markets worldwide.

Currently, there are 59 Boeing 717s in revenue service.

Pembroke, founded in 1993, manages a fleet of more than 102 airplanes leased to operators worldwide. Pembroke is jointly owned and controlled by Rolls-Royce and GATX Capital. Courtesy: Boeing

LONG BEACH, Calif., July 31, 2001 -- Under a sunny sky here today, Turkmenistan Airlines received its first Boeing 717-200 making the airline the eighth operator of the popular short-range, twin-engine jetliner.

Turkmenistan Airlines, based in the country's capital city of Ashgabat in Central Asia, is scheduled to take two more of the fuel-efficient airplanes later this year. Turkmenistan already operates three Boeing 737-300s and four 757-200s. The airline plans to operate the 717 on domestic routes. Turkmenistan 717s are configured for 110 passengers.

"The 717 is an excellent airplane as we continue with our plan to replace Soviet-built aircraft with Boeing airplanes," said Ilyas Berdiev, chief executive of Turkmenistan Airlines. "We are confident passengers will enjoy the comfort and innovative features that make travel on the 717 a great flying experience."

"The 717 is the perfect airplane for the quick turnaround, high frequency, short-haul market," said Doug Groseclose, vice president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales. "We are excited about the value that this member of the Boeing family will bring to Turkmenistan Airlines and the people of Turkmenistan. The 717 is demonstrating superior performance by providing on-time departures for passengers, and outstanding fuel economy and low operating costs for the airlines."

Boeing has delivered 72 717s since it received its first certification in September 1999 from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Europe's Joint Aviation Authority. The airplane also received certification from the Commonwealth of Independent States and Ukraine in February this year.

The environmentally friendly 717-200 brings full-size jetliner comfort, low operating costs and high schedule reliability to short-haul markets worldwide.

Passengers praise the seating comfort of the airplane as well as its generous overhead stowage compartments for personal items. Airlines benefit from the 717's high dispatch reliability. The airplane consistently is operating with a record in excess of 99 percent for on-time departures, enabling airlines to meet rigorous schedules and high daily utilization.

Airport communities benefit from the very low noise of the 717 and from very low engine emissions. The 717 is powered by two Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR715 engines.

The airplane now operates in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. It is the only new 100-passenger short-range jetliner in revenue service. Boeing has received firm orders for 136 717s, not including a firm order for 20 airplanes that Midwest Express has said it will finalize this year.#

Courtesy: Boeing

SEATTLE, Aug. 13, 2001 -- Everything at the Moscow Air Show seems big, but bigger isn't necessarily better. So when the ostensibly small Turkmenistan Airlines 717-200 landed there today, it quite rightfully took a place among the other giants of aviation.

The brand-new airplane will be the only member of the Boeing family of airplanes displayed during the air show this year, and it carries this distinction proudly. The environmentally friendly 717-200 brings full-size jetliner comfort, low operating costs and high schedule reliability to short-haul markets worldwide.

Passengers praise the seating comfort of the airplane as well as its generous overhead stowage compartments. Airlines benefit from the 717's high dispatch reliability -- the airplane consistently operates with a record in excess of 99 percent for on-time departures, enabling airlines to meet rigorous schedules and high daily utilization. Airport communities benefit from the very low noise of the 717 and from very low engine emissions.

In short, the Boeing 717-200 is the world's best jetliner specifically designed for the short-haul, high-frequency 100-passenger airline market.

The Moscow Air Show runs from Aug. 14-19. Courtesy: Boeing