Turkish charter operator Onur Air has ordered five McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and taken options on five more, continuing the fourth quarter turn-around in the fortunes of Douglas Aircraft.
Up to the end of September, Douglas had taken orders for just 11 twinjets during the whole of 1995. The order by the Istanbul-based carrier brings this year's total of new orders and options to around 174, more than 50% of which, are firm orders booked over the past six weeks. The MD-90s amassed 59 new orders and six options during the year.
The largest single boost was the ValuJet deal for the MD-95, with orders and options for 100, while the Onur Air order brings new MD-80 business for the year to date to 14 firm orders and five options. The undelivered backlog of firm-order MD-80s is now around 31, with a further 45 "options and reserves," says Douglas. Firm-order backlog for the MD-90 is now more than 120, with 76 options and reserves. The slow moving MD-11 backlog, meanwhile, stands at 26 firm and 61 options.
Douglas plans to deliver the first Onur aircraft in early 1997. The aircraft will be used on charter flights from Turkey to Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.
The Istanbul-based carrier operates nine A320s, all leased from GATIX. According to Airbus, the airline intends to retain five of the A320s and replace the remaining aircraft with three larger A321s next year.
Source: Flight International
