Southwest Airlines to Install Blended Winglets(TM) on 737-300 Aircraft
Posted on: Wednesday, 19 July 2006, 09:00 CDT
SEATTLE, July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines has taken another step separating themselves from their competition by committing to install Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets on up to 90 of their 737-300 aircraft. The order of 59 firm systems and 31 options follows Southwest's commitment in June of 2003 to install Blended Winglets on all of their 737-700 aircraft. Installations are planned to begin in early 2007.
"This is a monumental order for our 737-300 winglet program and a real testament to the value of our Visible Technology," says Aviation Partners Boeing CEO John Reimers. "When the world's leading low cost airline and most experienced operator of 737-300s invests in our technology, other 737-300 operators take notice. Southwest Airlines evaluated every aspect of the Blended Winglet investment and are convinced the product will provide exceptional value as the 737-700 Blended Winglets do for them today. We look forward to working with all of the world's 737-300 operators to show how they too can benefit from the advantages of Blended Winglets."
The business case for Blended Winglet Technology is absolutely compelling because the design optimizes performance at stage lengths typical to the 737- 300, rather than at the maximum design range. Additionally, low speed performance improvements provide significant takeoff performance improvements resulting in greater takeoff weight capability, reduced takeoff noise, or reduced engine maintenance costs. Southwest is a good neighbor to the communities in which it operates and Blended Winglets enhance that image through quieter operations on takeoff and landing as well as reduced fuel emissions.
"With high fuel prices contributing to such a large percentage of an airline's expenses, investing in Blended Winglets makes sense even for older aircraft," says Aviation Partners Sales Director Craig McCallum. "And because Blended Winglets are such a Visible Technology, older aircraft look new. Southwest Airlines based its investment in our product on return on investment but the environmental and image benefits of Blended Winglet Technology are also huge. Blended Winglets continue to enhance Southwest Airlines' niche of not only flying the most advanced, lowest cost configuration aircraft but an environmentally-friendly aircraft as well."
"This is the order we've been waiting for," says Aviation Partners Vice President of Sales Patrick LaMoria. "By the time Southwest completes their 737-300 installations, they will have more than 400 aircraft equipped with Blended Winglets."
Over 85% of new Boeing 737-700/800 aircraft delivered this year will go into service with Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglet Systems and 55% of the in-service fleet is currently flying with Blended Winglet Technology. Blended Winglets are now the industry standard for 737NG and soon will be for the 737-300.
http://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com/
Patent No. 5348253
Aviation Partners Boeing
CONTACT: Dick Friel, Sr. VP Marketing, +1-206-762-1171, or PatrickLaMoria, VP Sales & Contracts, +1-206-229-4957, both of Aviation PartnersBoeing
Web site: http://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com/
Source: PRNewswire
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