Dutch Carrier Transavia Orders Boeing 737-800s

SEATTLE, Nov. 6, 1995 -- Transavia Airlines has ordered eight 737-800 twinjets, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group confirmed today. Estimated value of the order is $288 million. The airline also took options on an additional 12 737-800s.

Amsterdam-based Transavia is scheduled to receive its first -800s in 1998.

"The Boeing 737-800 represents state-of-the-art technology and Transavia's fleet will consequently become younger, more modern and environmentally friendlier," commented Peter Legro, Transavia chief executive officer, during a signing ceremony at Transavia headquarters today.

"Transavia went through an exhaustive analysis to decide which airplane they could grow with most successfully in the next century," said Ron Woodard, president of Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. "We're delighted that Transavia has chosen the 737-800 as they set their future strategy in place."

Seating 182-188 passengers in Transavia's configuration, the 737-800 will fit between the Boeing 737-300s and Boeing 757s Transavia presently operates. The new airplanes will be used initially for non-stop charter service in Europe and around the Mediterranean coast.

"Transavia's fleet expansion is based on the prospect of growing markets in both holiday charter flights and scheduled flights," Legro said, adding that sufficient capacity and a flexible fleet configuration are essential for Transavia to maintain a strong position in the holiday market.

Woodard said enhancements were incorporated in the 737-600/700/800 series where they add value to airline operations. These include a redesigned passenger cabin, a flight deck featuring the most versatile display system offered on any commercial jetliner, and a new wing and engines for improved operating performance and reduced noise and emissions.

Airline input guided Boeing in making these enhancements, Woodard said. A group of airline customers, including Transavia, continues to influence development today, working closely with Boeing to refine and enhance the airplanes.

"One thing became very clear during discussions with our customers," he said. "Airlines told us that we should do nothing that would affect the 737s' outstanding reliability record. They told us to keep the systems simple and easy to maintain. And they told us if we thought any potential changes would have an adverse affect on this reliability record to forget it, they weren't interested."

Total 737-600/700/800 announced orders stand at an industry-leading 214. Total 737 orders stand at 3,238, the most for any commercial jet.

Boeing has announced orders for 253 airplanes in 1995.