EVERETT, Wash., March 23, 2006 -- Aeromexico, Mexico's largest airline, today took delivery of its first 777 jetliner from Boeing [NYSE: BA] at a ceremony attended by Hispanic dignitaries, community leaders and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire.
With the delivery, Aeromexico also becomes the first airline in the Americas to receive Boeing's Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). The airline will take a second 777-200ER in April.
The delivery ceremony at Paine Field was attended by Gregoire; Mexican Consul General Jorge Madrazo; Aeromexico CEO Dr. Andres Conesa; Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President and General Manager, Airplane Programs, Mike Cave; ILFC Chairman and CEO Steve Udvar-Hazy; GE General Manager of Sales, Americas, Kevin McAllister; and members of the Washington state legislature and senior Mexican community and business leaders.
"This historic event speaks to the long-lasting relationship between Boeing and Washington state and Mexico," Cave said. "With this 777 airplane, Mexico receives the most technologically advanced passenger airplane in the world. Boeing salutes Aeromexico and Dr. Conesa for their leadership in providing the best in air travel to their passengers, and we are thrilled to play a role in Aeromexico's fleet-renewal strategy."
The airline plans to use both airplanes to replace Boeing 767s that are coming off of leases on routes to Europe and are part of Aeromexico's continued fleet renewal plan. The 777s, both of which will be leased from ILFC, provide premium first class accommodations including full-flat seats, a new in-flight entertainment system, new economy class seats and new aircraft interiors.
"With these enhancements, we will provide passengers with the very best commercial travel experience available in Latin America, "said Conesa. "The 777 is well-known for its superior operating economics and interiors preferred by passengers. These two planes will provide the best for our long-distance travelers."
"We are very impressed by Aeromexico's continued forward-looking modernization," said John Wojick, vice president, sales, Latin America and the Caribbean. "Passengers should love the lie-flat beds and entertainment systems, and Aeromexico will benefit from the 777's long range and fuel efficiency, and passenger-pleasing interior." "We're proud to have an airline with such a fine reputation for operational excellence as Aeromexico become Boeing's EFB launch customer for all of the Americas," said Dan da Silva, vice president of sales and marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "This represents a strong market validation that our EFB offers significant operational benefits to both individual aircraft and entire airlines."
EFB is a core technology in Boeing's vision of an e-Enabled air-transport system, where data, information and knowledge can be shared easily across an aviation enterprise. Using software developed by Boeing and its subsidiary, Jeppesen, and hardware from Astronautics Corp. of America (ACA), the Boeing EFB digitally delivers vital charts and manuals that pilots need to fly an airplane, giving them quick access to the information they need. One available option is an onboard performance tool that gives pilots the ideal speeds and engine settings for an aircraft, in any weather, on any runway, with any payload, and can create vast gains in efficiency, range and payload.
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