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NEWS

Boeing Delivers 8,000th 737
Boeing has delivered the 8,000th 737 to
come off the production line to United
Airlines, marking another important Wego partners with Saudi Airlines
milestone for one of the world’s best- Wego, the leading travel metasearch Saudi Airlines, operating as Saudia,
selling airplanes. The airplane, a site in the Middle East and Asia Pacific is the full-service national carrier of the
next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended has tied up with Saudi Airlines; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The airlines
Range), features a special logo. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading full flies to 118 destinations globally, with
The 737 is the first commercial service carrier. a fleet of 153 aircraft, and additional
airplane in history to reach this delivery Speaking from the region’s premiere aircraft orders for 2015.
milestone. The program has a strong travel industry event at the Arabian Hazem SOnBUL, GM eCommerce
backlog with more than 3,700 airplanes Travel Market in Dubai, Chief Flights Saudia Airlines said, “With Wego’s
on order, including 1,934 orders for the Officer, Dean Wicks said the partnership vast reach and dominance as a travel
new 737 MAX. will ‘reinforce Wego’s continuing search engine in Asia Pacific and
“The 737 program continues strength and growth in the Middle East’. the Middle East, it was a natural
to innovate with new features and “We are so thrilled to partner with strategic move to partner with
technology, meeting the needs of our such an established and well respected Wego, this will increase our brand
customers now and into the future,” airline and share their products through exposure in Asia Pacific markets.
said Beverly Wyse, vice president and Wego’s inventory with travellers right We have invested on online channels
general manager, 737 program, Boeing around the world,” commented Wicks. to provide customers with the best
Commercial Airplanes. “Boeing has a “Saudi Airlines continues to expand travel experience to build their travel
long and treasured history with United in an exciting travel market that has itinerary with access to an extensive
Airlines, and we’re proud they’re taking enjoyed exponential growth, and only global network on Saudia and its
delivery of this milestone airplane.” continues to escalate.” global partners.”
United was the first airline to order
and take delivery of the 737-200.
Since 1965, United has taken delivery A350 undertakes water ingestion tests
of more than 550 737s and operated Airbus has successfully performed The results will be analysed by
nearly every model. certification testing to demonstrate the A350 the Airbus Design Office, which will
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this XWB’s ability to operate on wet runways. extrapolate them to predict a variety of
huge achievement with Boeing,” said During these tests at Istres, France, typical operational scenarios.
Ron Baur, vice president of fleet, United the flight-test aircraft, MSn004, travelled According to an Airbus official,
Airlines. “The 737 has been an integral through troughs containing at least the A350 XWB’s certification testing is
part of our narrowbody fleet and we 22mm of water depth, at a variety of progressing well, and is on track for
are pleased to continue this tradition speeds, starting at 60kts, and successively certification in Q3 2014, to be followed by
by being the north American launch increasing to around 140kts. entry into service with Qatar Airways in
customer for the new 737 MAX 9.” This test validates how the aircraft Q4. The first four A350s now flying have
Baur said United’s 737-900ER delivered would behave on a very rain-soaked together accumulated around 1,600
today, along with 737 MAX airplanes the runway, and verifies that neither the flight-test hours and over 350 flights.
airline has on order, will replace older, water under the aircraft nor the spray The flight-test fleet will be completed
less fuel efficient aircraft while providing generated by the nose landing gear will with the fifth aircraft, MSn005, in the
a superior passenger experience. enter the engines or APU. coming weeks, he added.

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