August 30, 2007
EVEN THE EUROS DON'T BUY EUROPEAN... (via Kevin Whited):
Boeing gets biggest European 737 order from Norweigan airline (AP, 8/30/07)
Norwegian Air Shuttle on Thursday announced a deal to buy 42 new Boeing 737-800 airliners worth $3.1 billion dollars, with an option to buy 42 more.The low-cost airline, which operates under the name Norwegian, said the order is the biggest for 737 aircraft received by Boeing in Europe this year.
"These new aircraft will strengthen Norwegian's position in the Norwegian, Nordic and European markets," said the airline's managing director Bjoern Kjos. "These aircraft are also significantly more environmentally friendly than the ones we use today." ...]
Norwegian has rapidly expanded after changing its business model in 2002 from being a domestic commuter airline to a low-cost airline with destinations in Norway and abroad, challenging the Norwegian branch of the Scandinavian Airlines System, which then operated as SAS Braathens. Last year, Norwegian carried 5.1 million passengers.
...at least not the ones trying to turn a profit. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 30, 2007 2:46 PM
Did you see the article in the WSJ yesterday about the problems with the early Bombardier jets (CRJ-100,200,400)? Apparently the flaps don't align just so, and several flights have had problems during take-off and landing. Some wings were slightly damaged. I always knew there was something that didn't fit right on those 100s (usually me).
Of course, the 737 has had its problems this month, with the fire in Taiwan after landing, when some loose bolts on the engine allowed fuel to leak, which then burned (the issue has occurred a few other times, but not with the same hot result). Four planes in the US were found with the same loose bolts, but everything should be OK now (the FAA gave airlines 10 days, instead of 30, to inspect their fleets).
Airbus has been very quiet since the Paris Air Show. And with the 787 set for its first flight next month (as I remember), it will be that way for a while. Perhaps Putin can get a seat on the board and whip them into shape.
Posted by: jim hamlen at August 30, 2007 5:27 PM