LUTON, United Kingdom,
Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Monarch Airlines today finalized an
order for 30 737 MAX 8s worth more than $3.2
billion at current list prices. The order, originally
announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July when
Monarch selected Boeing as its preferred bidder for fleet
replacement, includes options for 15 additional 737 MAX 8s and
marks the beginning of the British carrier's transition to an
all-Boeing single-aisle fleet.
"Seven days after welcoming new owners into the business, this
order is a demonstration of our commitment to the future and the
evolution of Monarch as a distinctive European scheduled leisure
carrier," said Andrew Swaffield, CEO
of the Monarch Group. "The 737 MAX 8 fits our network strategy of
serving our traditional European leisure routes in greater
frequency, providing increased choice and service for Monarch
customers, with significantly improved unit costs to our
business."
The 737 MAX has accumulated 2,325 orders to date from 48
customers and is the fastest selling airplane in Boeing
history.
"The 737 MAX is the perfect airplane for Monarch as it moves its
business model from a traditional charter carrier to a European
scheduled leisure airline, offering improved efficiencies, high
reliability and an outstanding passenger experience," said
Todd Nelp, vice president of
European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are honored that
Monarch has chosen Boeing as its future partner and are dedicated
to ensuring this iconic operator's continued success."
The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International
LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other
improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and
passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX will be
14 percent more fuel-efficient than today's most efficient
Next-Generation 737s – and 20 percent better than the original
Next-Generation 737s when they first entered service. The 737 MAX 8
will have an 8 percent per seat operating cost advantage over the
A320neo.
Headquartered at London Luton Airport, but also operating from
five other U.K. bases – London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, East
Midlands and Leeds-Bradford – Monarch predominantly serves
holiday destinations around the Mediterranean and the Canary
Islands as well as European ski resorts. Founded in 1968, the
British carrier will move to a cost effective and uniform fleet of
737 MAX 8s within the next decade.
On October 24, Monarch Airlines
and other parts of Monarch Holdings Limited, the UK's leading
independent leisure travel group, completed a restructuring program
and sale of 90 percent of the group to Greybull Capital LLP under
which it secured £125 million of permanent capital and liquidity
facilities.
Contact:
Daniel Mosely
European Communications
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+44 208 235 5665
daniel.mosely@boeing.com
More information:
http://www.newairplane.com/customers/monarch-airlines/monarch-airlines-finalize-order-for-30-737-max-8s/
SOURCE Boeing