Sales of Boeing's Next Generation 737 have passed 1,000 with part of a new order placed by Delta Air Lines under the latest phase of a deal agreed with Boeing in March 1997.
The orders for eight 737-800s take total announced Next Generation sales to 1,003 and means that Delta, which also chalked up the 4,000th order for the overall 737 family when it exercised another group of options earlier this year, now has firm orders for 81 737-800s. All its 737s will be delivered between now and 2006.
It also exercised options for a further two 767-300ERs and two 777-200s. Delta's backlog for the 767-300 rises to 14 with the latest deal, while 777 orders now stand at 14. All the 767-300ERs will be delivered between now and the end of 1999 while the 777 deliveries are due to begin next year.
Deliveries of the 767-400ER, which remain unchanged with 21 firm orders, are due to run from 2000 to 2001. The airline is also taking delivery of 10 757-200s on order.
The latest option exercise takes Delta's firm order commitment to 140 aircraft.
Source: Flight International
