Air Plus Comet Is the First 737-300SP Blended Winglet Operator in the World
Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets Enhance Classic Series 737
For Spanish-Based Operator
SEATTLE, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviation Partners Boeing's much
anticipated Classic Series 737 Blended Winglet(TM) Program received FAA
certification on May 30th with the first installed shipset to be delivered to
Air Plus Comet, under lease from Aircraft Leasing Management, on June 8. With
over 25% of all Next Generation 737-700s and 800s currently equipped with
Blended Winglets, Aviation Partners Boeing Aerodynamic Enhancement Technology
is already having a huge impact on airline productivity.
"Over the past couple of years more than 280 Boeing 737-700s/800s have
been upgraded to Blended Winglet Technology. With our new Classic Series 737
Blended Winglets, we anticipate extensive market penetration to an existing
fleet of 1069 Boeing 737-300s and 481 Boeing 737-400s," says Aviation Partners
Boeing Vice President of Sales Sheldon Best. "Given current economic
conditions, Classic Series 737s are being kept in service longer. Blended
Winglet Technology pays off, year after year and for the life of the aircraft,
in fuel savings, performance improvements and environmental benefits."
Performance benefits of Blended Winglet Technology are particularly
dramatic for the Classic Series 737 explains Aviation Partners Boeing CEO Mike
Marino. "The total block fuel savings benefit of a 737-300SP is up to 4.5%,
about half a percent better than we've achieved with Next Generation 737s. The
average Classic Series 737-300, flying 2900 hrs per year with 1.5 hour average
stages, will save over 65,000 gallons of fuel per aircraft per year."
Blended Winglet Technology offers a multitude of operator advantages
beyond simply improving range and saving fuel. Environmental benefits of a
Blended Winglet equipped aircraft, include reduced noise on takeoff and
landing, decreased engine emissions in flight and reduced engine maintenance
requirements. Blended Winglets give aircraft a high-tech look which can
translate into image and marketing advantages for the operator. When you see
Blended Winglets on a commercial or business aircraft you know that it's been
aerodynamically upgraded, it's more productive and it's more environmentally
friendly.
"Blended Winglets are truly revolutionary in terms of added productivity,"
says Aviation Partners Boeing Board Chairman Joe Clark. "With the world
airline fleet racking up 100,000 flight hours each day it behooves us to
expedite the emergence of Blended Winglet Technology so that more aircraft
operators can start sharing in the benefits."
To learn more about Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglet Technology
see: http://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com
Roger
EWROPS