Exercises Options For Five More Frames

Boeing announced Thursday that Central European low-cost carrier SkyEurope Airlines has converted purchase rights for five Next-Generation 737-700s into orders, in a deal valued at $295 million list.

That means the LCC now has a total order commitment for 21 Next-Generation 737 airplanes, through lease and direct purchase agreements, of which five have been delivered and are operating in the airline's all-Boeing fleet.

"The introduction of the Next-Generation 737 in our fleet has generated tremendous positive response from our passengers", said Christian Mandl, CEO of SkyEurope Airlines. "Passengers love the spacious cabin and leather seats, while we benefit every day from the simplified and cost-effective operations," added Alain Skowrenek, the airline's chairman.

The newly-ordered, Blended Winglet-equipped airplanes are to be delivered in 2008.

SkyEurope Airlines, with its multi-hub philosophy, offers 70 routes from Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, Prague and Bratislava to 37 destinations in 19 countries.

Boeing reports that as of May 31, the Next-Generation Boeing 737 family (-700, -800, and -900 variants) has received orders for more than 3,200 units to carriers worldwide. Almost 80 percent of the airplanes operated by the top 20 low-cost carriers are Next-Generation 737s.

FMI: www.skyeurope.com, www.boeing.com