Oman’s national carrier has ordered six units of Boeing’s fuel-efficient 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which recently entered commercial service, the two entities announced yesterday at this year’s Dubai Airshow.
The six long-range wide--bodied units were already on order for ALAFCO leasing company and Oman Air has taken over the existing order, a statement said.
“The airline completed an arrangement with Boeing and Kuwait-based leasing company ALAFCO to transfer existing orders for the six Dreamliners from ALAFCO to Oman Air,” the -statement said.
The catalogue price for the mid-size aircraft is US$193.5 million, but no details were declared concerning the value of the deal.
“Our decision to order the 787-8 is part of Oman Air’s long-term growth strategy to expand and modernize our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes,” said Peter Hill, chief executive officer of Oman Air, in the statement.
Established in 1993, Oman Air flies to 41 destinations.
Boeing says the 787, built partly from lightweight composite materials, has a 20 percent greater fuel efficiency than similar-sized jets and can carry up to 50 percent more cargo, making it an attractive proposition for airlines facing soaring fuel costs.
The 787-8 Dreamliner will carry 210 to 250 passengers on routes up to 15,200km, while the 787-9 model will carry 250 to 290 passengers on routes up to 15,750km. The first 787-8 went into operation with Japanese airline ANA last month, nearly three years behind schedule.
Meanwhile, Airbus SAS expects to receive orders for 50 to 100 planes from Middle Eastern companies at the air show, the newspaper al-Khaleej reported, citing the president of the company for the Middle East, Habib Fakih.
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