Boeing hopes that the successful introduction into service of the 757-300 by launch customer Condor Flugdienst will help the US manufacturer boost the slow sales pace for world's longest narrowbody twinjet.
Condor is one of only three customers that have so far placed a total of 17 firm orders for the 240/280-seater. The carrier has taken delivery of seven of the 13 aircraft it has on order.
The airline received its first 757-300s in March and Boeing claims that a 100% dispatch reliability was achieved in June, a record for any new Boeing model in its first year of service.
Boeing is aware that some airlines have voiced concerns over the potentially long turnaround time the stretched aircraft could achieve in everyday service.
Mike Bair, 757 programmes vice- president and general manager, says the in-service results are "remarkable", with turnaround times averaging 55min to 58min for the airline's seven -300s, compared to 61 to 62 minutes on Condor's -200 fleet.
Boeing's earlier analysis suggested the -300 turn time would be "around five to 10min longer" than the -200, but appears to be slightly shorter, or at least level with the -200 due to Condor's improved procedures and other features of the aircraft.
Source: Flight International
