Kenya Airways Orders Boeing 737s

SEATTLE, July 15, 1996 -- Kenya Airways has ordered two Boeing 737-300 twinjets, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group confirmed today.

The two airplanes are valued at approximately $82 million and are scheduled for delivery in 1997. The airline also took options on an additional two 737-300s.

"Kenya Airways, which was recently privatized, has just recorded another very profitable year and we are pleased with their decision to purchase new 737s from Boeing," said Seddik Belyamani, vice president of International Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. "These new aircraft will allow them to maintain their stringent operating cost controls, further improve passenger service and at the same time support the expansion of their African network in cooperation with Kenya Airway's new partner, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines," he added.

The Nairobi-based carrier currently operates Boeing 737-200s and will be able to quickly integrate the new airplanes into its fleet. All models of the 737, the world's best-selling jetliner, bear a high degree of commonality. For years, this has been a fundamental strength of the 737 family.

For example, all versions of the 737 have essentially the same handling characteristics in the air as well as on the ground. Pilots flying one model do not need a new type- rating to operate other models, thereby minimizing the training required. Furthermore, most replaceable parts on the family of airplanes are identical, simplifying airline spares inventory and maintenance.

For the world's many operators of 737s, this commonality in training and in spares parts makes it easy to step up to the reliable technology of the 737 family, while offering the added benefit of a choice of sizes to match traffic loads.

Total orders for the 737, the industry's most successful commercial jetliner, now stand at 3,336.