But Airbus Leads On The Year
Boeing Business Jets announced Monday at EBACE 2007 it has won
seven new orders this year, bringing total program sales to 135
jets. The new orders are worth $478.5 million at list prices. The
new orders are for six BBJs, derivatives of the commercial 737-700,
and one 787-9 VIP jet. As its name implies, the 787 VIP jet is
based on the upcoming 787 Dreamliner.
"After winning 23 orders for our luxury jets last year, we
continue to see incredible demand. Boeing Business Jets could be
poised for another phenomenal year," said Steven Hill, president of
Boeing Business Jets, during a press briefing on the eve of the
European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in
Geneva, Switzerland. "In the time since EBACE 2006, Boeing Business
Jets has won 27 new orders including 12 BBJs, two BBJ 2s, three BBJ
3s, four 747-8 VIPs and six 787 VIPs. The total doesn't count the
two 787s that were purchased by VIP customers directly from leasing
companies."
A BBJ is on static display at EBACE May 22 through 24 outside
Palexpo, the exhibition and conference center located on the
perimeter of Geneva International Airport.
To date, program sales include 107 BBJs, 15 BBJ 2s, three BBJ
3s, four 747-8 VIPs and six 787 VIPs. Private individuals comprise
the majority of the Boeing Business Jets customer base at 44
percent, followed closely by government heads of state at 36
percent. The remaining customer segments are divided evenly between
corporate and charter operators.
The numbers announced Monday indicate a strong start on the year
for Boeing Business Jets... though it is worth noting Boeing's
European archrival, Airbus, announced in February it had already
won six orders for executive derivatives of its popular A320
Family, as well as three orders for a VIP variant of the
four-engine A340.
Boeing Business Jets was launched in 1996 and includes a joint
venture agreement between Boeing and General Electric to provide a
long-range business jet based on the Next-Generation 737. Boeing
manages day-to-day operations, manufactures the airplane, and is
responsible for sales and marketing activities with support from
General Electric.
Since the program's inception, 104 BBJs have been delivered.
Ninety BBJs are fully completed and in service, which means 14 are
in some stage of interior completion. The BBJ worldwide fleet has
generated more than 241,500 flight hours to date and 93,600
flights. The jet has an industry-leading reliability rate of 99.9
percent, according to Boeing.
Late last year, Boeing Business Jets launched VIP versions of
the new commercial jetliners, the 787 Dreamliner and the 747-8
Intercontinental. Nearly 300 Boeing airplanes are in service in the
VIP and business jet market.