Southwest extending its wings ...New curved tips will save on fuel By BILL HENSEL JR. Houston Chronicle Literally spreading its wings, Southwest Airlines is adding wing extensions on 133 planes in a bid to save money and enhance performance. The "Blended Winglets," which will be added to Southwest's Boeing 737-700 aircraft, reduce drag on the planes and thereby save on fuel costs. Because it will be more fuel efficient, the technology extends the airplane's flying range by 115 nautical miles, lowers engine maintenance costs and reduces takeoff noise, Southwest said. The distinctive wingtips are about eight feet high and add five feet to the total wingspan of the aircraft. They reduce drag because they curve out and up from the wingtip, the company said. Installation of the wing extensions for the Dallas-based airline will begin in October and should be completed within two years. Southwest, the largest low-fare carrier in the world, likely could save more than $9 million annually on jet fuel by implementing the wing technology. The company said it will save about 92,000 gallons of jet fuel a year per aircraft through enhancing performance. The wing extensions are relatively new products, dating back to 2001. While they are being used by 28 other airlines worldwide, this is by far the maker's biggest order. "This technology is one way we can gain efficiencies in our operation and save money while we grow," said Laura Wright, Southwest's vice president of finance. Southwest is satisfied that the wing extensions have been adequately tested through real use and can provide legitimate savings to the company, spokesman Ed Stewart said. However, the company would not reveal how much money it is paying to outfit its aircraft with the extensions. Shares of Southwest closed down 19 cents at $17.15 Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange. The winglets, also known as shipsets, are being provided by Aviation Partners Boeing, a joint venture between Aviation Partners and Boeing. Aviation Partners Boeing initially will provide 169 of the shipsets to Southwest, making it the single largest sale for the company since it was created. Southwest has options to acquire 373 additional winglets through 2012. The carrier said it is eyeing the possibility of outfitting other types of aircraft with similar technology. Although other airlines are using the extended wingtips, their use appears somewhat limited. Fewer than 300 aircraft currently have the extensions, according to Aviation Partners Boeing. Among the airlines are ATA, Virgin Blue and Qantas Airways. Mike Marino, chief executive officer of Aviation Partners Boeing, called Southwest's order a landmark for the company. It signals that the technology is not just for long-haul carriers anymore, he said. *************************************************** The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com Roj (Roger James) escape email mailto:ejames@xxxxxxxxx Trinbago site: www.tntisland.com Carib Brass Ctn site www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ Steel Expressions www.mts.net/~ejames/se/ Mas Site: www.tntisland.com/tntrecords/mas2003/ Site of the Week: http://www.carib-link.net/naparima/naps.html TnT Webdirectory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************