The Boeing Company and Qantas Airways has announced a final agreement for the order of
31 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 jetliners. The order is valued at US $2.3
billion at Boeing list prices.

  This is the largest single 737 order placed by Qantas for the
Next-Generation 737. The airline previously ordered 38 737-800s in
increments over the past six years.

  Today’s order brings the airline’s order total with Boeing to 51
airplanes during 2007, including an order posted last month in which Qantas
contracted for 20 787-9 Dreamliners, which the airline initially announced
in July.

  The chief executive officer of Qantas, Geoff Dixon, said the 737-800s
would have the latest in-flight entertainment technology.

  “This further investment in the latest aircraft technology will also
underpin our efficiency drive by lowering operating costs, while at the
same time minimizing our environmental impact as we grow,” he said. “The
737-800 has a 25 percent lower fuel burn per seat and 30 percent lower
maintenance cost compared with older equivalent aircraft.”

  “Qantas is a key 737 customer, and the Australian geography is one
where the airplane really proves its value,” said Stan Deal, vice
president, Asia Pacific Sales—Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 737 will
continue to provide excellent economics, reliability and passenger comfort
to one of the world’s great airlines.”

  The Boeing Next-Generation 737 family is the world’s most popular and
reliable single-aisle airplane family. As of Nov. 30, Boeing had logged
orders for more than 4,300 Next-Generation 737s, and has unfilled orders
for nearly 1,900 airplanes worth more than $135 billion at current list
prices.

  With the November order for 787s, Qantas is now the second largest
customer (and holds the most orders by an airline) for the 787 family, with
50 787-9s and 15 787-8s on order. The airline will operate its 787 fleet
with GE Aircraft Engines’ GEnx power plants.

  The 787s are expected to be used by the Qantas Group’s two major
brands, Qantas and Jetstar, for both domestic and international operations.
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