BOEING HAS secured eight customer commitments for the new long-range business-jet version of the 737, being developed jointly with General Electric.
All but one of the aircraft are destined for individual and corporate operators in North America, says Boeing. The first 737 business jet is scheduled for delivery to GE chairman Jack Welch in late 1998. GE also has a second aircraft on order.
The company is projecting a requirement for between ten and 12 aircraft a year over the next 12 years, says Boeing commercial president Ron Woodard. Boeing is targeting corporate, individual and government operators. It is also considering offering a freighter and 7,400km (4,000nm)-range passenger variant.
Boeing is due to roll out the first of the new business-jet derivatives in July 1998 and is targeting certification towards the end of the year. The 11,500km-range aircraft is a hybrid combining the 737-700 fuselage with the wing and landing gear of the larger -800 version.
Source: Flight International
