New Delhi: Low-cost carrier SpiceJet signed a deal on Tuesday to buy 10 737 jets from US aircraft manufacturer Boeing worth $700 million at Asian Aerospace.
The deal includes an option to buy 10 more aircraft. The purchase is for five 737-800 and five 737-900ER models. Deliveries will begin in October 2007 with the handing over of 737-900ER first. Shipments will continue until 2009.
"We are absolutely delighted to be placing a new order with Boeing and we think that this new order reflects the rapid growth in the Indian market," said Ajay Singh, director of SpiceJet.
SpiceJet started operations in May last year and since then says it has filled more than 85 per cent of its available seats.
Singh said India's travel market had been growing at a phenomenal rate as train travellers take advantage of cheaper fares to switch to flying. The number of air trips domestically in India has risen sharply to 24 million from about 18 million in March last year.
Dinesh Keskar, Boeing's senior vice president for sales, said he expected the plane orders to enable SpiceJet to increase its market share.
Keskar said the 737-800 had 189 seats in an all-economy configuration, while the 737-900ER had 215 seats.
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