The Boeing 7E7 has taken its first European Airbus A330 scalps as two of the region's leisure airlines commit to the all-new twinjet. Meanwhile, the manufacturer has slipped the entry-into-service target for the stretch version by two years, to 2012.
UK charter airline First Choice Airways has taken commitments for six 7E7-8s, plus three options, while Italian leisure airline Blue Panorama Airlines has committed to four 7E7-8s. Deliveries to both airlines will begin in February 2009, and Boeing says the total firm element of the deals is valued at $1.2 billion. Neither engine selection has been finalised.
First Choice Airways managing director Chris Browne says its 7E7s will seat around 270 passengers (two-class) and will be acquired on operating leases to replace 767-300ERs. The airline, which operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, also evaluated the Airbus A330, but the 7E7 was chosen as "there is no other aircraft out there to touch it", says Browne.
Blue Panorama, which has an all-Boeing fleet, will use the 7E7 to replace its four 767s. President Franco Pecci says the 7E7 beat the A330 on three grounds: "Fuel burn, cargo capacity and cabin comfort."
Meanwhile, Boeing says that it has pushed back service entry for the 7E7-9 stretch to 2012 as it does not expect its market to emerge until then.
Source: Flight International
