Monday, Jul 21, 2008
(This story was originally published on Sunday.)
DUBAI (Zawya Dow Jones)--Start-up budget carrier FlyDubai Sunday announced $750 million worth of orders for aircraft engines and winglets.
The airline, which will start operations in the second half of 2009, signed a deal with CFM International, a joint venture between Snecma and GE, for 50 CFM56-7B engines to power the 50 Boeing 737-800 narrow-bodied aircraft it ordered last week.
The engines, valued at $700 million at list prices, are the Tech Insertion configuration, which provide operators with lower fuel consumption, lower emissions and lower maintenance costs.
In a separate deal, FlyDubai signed a $50 million deal with Aviation Partners Boeing for blended winglets.
The winglets, which are for the 737-800s, add an extra 1.4 meter to the wingspan of the aircraft and offer a range of environmental benefits, including reduced fuel consumption and lower noise emissions.
"This combination of engines and winglets means we will be operating aircraft that are as kind to the environment as possible," FlyDubai's Chief Executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said in the statement.
FlyDubai kicked off the Farnborough International Airshow last week with an order for 54 Boeing 737-800 narrow-bodied aircraft, including four under a lease arrangement, in deals valued at some $4 billion.
With initial startup capital of 250 million U.A.E dirhams ($68 million) and the support of the Dubai government and Emirates Airline, FlyDubai will fly to 12 destinations in the first year of operations with five aircraft.
By Stefania Bianchi, Dow Jones Newswires; +971 4 3644967; stefania.bianchi@dowjones.com
Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
21-07-08 0421GMT
