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Boeing Lands Order for Six 737s
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: Boeing has landed a firm order from low-fare carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle for six new 737-800s, the manufacturer confirmed today.
Word Count: 213
Boeing has landed a firm order from low-fare carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle for six new 737-800s, the manufacturer confirmed today. Norwegian Air Shuttle now accounts for firm orders for 48 Next-Generation 737s from Boeing and another 22 airplanes from leasing companies.The Oslo-based carrier has steadily expanded its sphere of operation since it opened for business in September 2002 and has reported continuous growth in passenger figures and improved margins throughout the 2008/2009 recession. Norwegian now operates more than 200 routes to 90 destinations and it carried more than 10 million passengers over the past year. Today, the company announced its highest quarterly operating profit to date. Norwegian plans to become one of the first airlines in Europe to incorporate the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior starting at the end of next year. Inspired by the interior design of the 787 Dreamliner, the Sky Interior will feature soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead, contemporary sculpted sidewalls and window reveals designed to draw passengers’ eyes to the airplanes’ windows. Norwegian’s chosen interior configuration results in 186 passenger seats–three fewer than maximum capacity. As of October 20 Boeing had booked firm orders for 146 B737s this year. With cancellations of 16 airplanes, its net order count for the 737 stood at 130. However, its total net order count, including cancellation of 111 deliveries, stood at just 74 for the year.