Iraq, Boeing confirm 2.2 billion-dollar plane order

Iraq, Boeing confirm 2.2 billion-dollar plane order
AFP - Monday, May 5 10:12 pm

NEW YORK (AFP) - The Iraqi government has ordered 30 Boeing 737 commercial airplanes in a deal worth up to 2.2 billion dollars and taken options on 10 more, the two parties announced Monday.

Iraq also is "finalizing an agreement" to buy 10 of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliners, the touted long-range aircraft whose deliveries have been delayed until the second half of 2009.

Iraq's order for 30 Boeing 737-800 aircraft marked "the first step in re-establishing that country's scheduled commercial aviation operations," they said in a joint statement. The deal is valued at 2.2 billion dollars at current list prices.

Iraq has also contracted options for 10 additional 737s, at a list price of 747,500 dollars.

In addition, Iraq and Boeing are finalizing an agreement for 10 of Boeing's new 787 fuel-efficient Dreamliners, the statement said. That deal would be worth 1.6 billion dollars.

The huge order was unveiled by the Iraqi government on March 31 but the exact terms were not disclosed.

Boeing said the order for 30 737s was previously accounted for on Boeing's website, attributed to an unidentified customer.

The new 787 Dreamliners will allow an Iraqi national airline to provide longer-range commercial service and will be added to Boeing's order book when the contract is completed, the Iraqi government and Boeing said.

"Today marks a new beginning for Iraq," Iraqi Finance Minister Bager Jabor al-Zubaidy said during a signing ceremony in Baghdad that was also attended by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and and Scott Carson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive, according to the statement.

"We are very comfortable with our selection of Boeing airplanes as the basis of our fleet renewal and pleased to count Boeing as a trusted partner in supporting our reconstructive efforts."

The two parties said they have been in discussions in recent months about how Boeing can assist with the reconstruction of Iraq's aviation infrastructure and prepare for delivery and operation of new airplanes.

Boeing's role will include consulting in the planning and development of airport infrastructure throughout the country, training and other support services.

Boeing's Dreamliner program has been plagued with delays. A month ago Boeing announced its first flight will take place in the fourth quarter, with the first delivery in the third quarter of 2009. The latest postponement represents roughly a six-month delay.