Company's First Widebody Project May Boost Range By 350+
Miles
Aero-News learned
Monday that Aviation Partners Boeing recently launched the
767-300ER Blended Winglet program, with FAA certification
anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2008. Three airlines on three
different continents have already placed firm orders for 68
767-300ER Blended Winglet systems.
Aviation Partners tells ANN the benefits of Blended Winglets for
767-300ER operators -- both passenger and freighter versions --
include average annual fuel savings per aircraft of 350,000
gallons, payload improvements of up to 12,000 pounds and a range
boost of up to 360 nautical miles.
"More and more we're talking about total market acceptance for
Blended Winglet technology," says Aviation Partners Boeing
President and CEO John Reimers. "We now expect that over 90% of the
737-NG's will be flying with Blended Winglets, we're looking at
70+% of the 757-200 market and close to 80% of the 767-300ER
market. The current 767-300ER fleet is about 575 units worldwide,
therefore we anticipate upgrading about 460 aircraft between 2009
and 2012."
A high-utilization global aircraft, like the 767-300ER, is
expected to achieve up to a six percent savings in fuel consumption
with Blended Winglets. In addition to the cost savings and
associated environmental benefits, the technology should extend the
life cycle of the 767-300ER, and provide current 767-300ER
operators wanting to transition to 787's with a 'bridge' to
available delivery positions.
"Given the unprecedented success of our existing winglet
programs, we expect that most 767-300ER operators will not wait
until certification to place their orders and that we will sell out
capacity very quickly," says Aviation Partners Boeing Chairman Joe
Clark.
"Operators that have experienced the dramatic benefits of our
existing products will quickly realize that the benefits of
767-300ER winglets will be even more compelling. The 767-300ER
project is the most significant development program we've ever
undertaken and is our first wide-body platform."
APB has already certified its patented Blended Winglet
technology for the Boeing Business Jet, 737-800, 737-700, 737-300,
and 757-200. APB is also currently in the process of certifying
Blended Winglets for the 737-900 and 737-500. By 2010, APB expects
that Blended Winglets will have saved the world's airlines over two
billion gallons of fuel.