Next-Generation 737 to be leased by Kenya Airways. GECAS has ordered total of 645 Boeing airplanes.
SEATTLE – Boeing announced the delivery of the 500th Boeing airplane to GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The Next-Generation 737-800 will be leased to Kenya Airways and is the 401st 737 delivered to the leasing company.
“This is a major milestone in our 20-year association with Boeing,” said Norm Liu, President and CEO, GECAS. “We are proud to take delivery of our 500th Boeing airplane. Boeing is a key business partner providing us with advanced, efficient and reliable airplanes that our airline customers need to be successful in today’s competitive marketplace.”
GECAS has ordered a total of 645 Boeing airplanes, recently adding the 787-10 and the 737 MAX to their order book. GECAS has taken delivery of a large portfolio of Boeing airplanes, including 57 777s, 30 767s, eight 747s and four 757s.
“We are honored to celebrate the delivery of GECAS’ 500th Boeing airplane,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “Boeing values our 20-year relationship with GECAS and we look forward to continuing to be part of GECAS’ growth and strengthen our partnership for decades to come.”
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing. With over 45 years of experience, GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types including narrow-bodies, wide-bodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters, plus multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting.
GECAS owns or services a fleet of more than 2,150 aircraft (~1,840 fixed wing and ~310 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves more than 270 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 24 offices.
Copa Airlines Celebrates 100th Airplane with Special Decal on Boeing Next-Generation 737
Copa Airlines took delivery of the 100th airplane to join its fleet, a Boeing 737-800 decorated with a special decal celebrating the airline achieving this important milestone. The airplane, leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, flew from Seattle to its Panama City home base, where it was welcomed by a special ceremony.
“We are proud to celebrate this historic achievement for our company and for the country – a result of the efforts of our more than 9,000 dedicated coworkers, and the support of our customers, suppliers, government entities and partners,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO, Copa Airlines. “This aircraft symbolizes our airline’s steady growth during its 68-year history, as well as the enhancement of Panama’s connectivity with the world and its reputation as a major logistics and tourism center, all of which translate to better opportunities for development for the country and for all Panamanians.”
With this new airplane, Copa now has 77 Next-Generation 737s in its fleet. In April, the airline signed an order for 61 737 MAX airplanes.
The 737 MAX builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737 by incorporating the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 14 percent fuel-use improvement over today’s most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes.
Copa Airlines allows passengers to make fast and convenient connections to 74 destinations in 31 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean through its Hub of the Americas in Panama City, the airline hub with the most international connections in Latin America. For the last two consecutive years, FlightStats has recognized Copa as “Best Airline in Latin America” for its on-time performance and quality of service.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
