SilkAir starts major fleet upgrade
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SilkAir has taken delivery of its first new Boeing 737 aircraft – the first step in the airline’s move to an all-Boeing fleet.
The new B737-800 was handled over to the Singaporean carrier at Boeing’s factory in Seattle this week, becoming the first of 54 new single-aisle jets to be received by the SilkAir over the coming years. The order for 23 B737-800s and 31 B737 MAX 8s was placed in late 2012, and the new aircraft will gradually replace the airline’s existing fleet of 24 Airbus A319s and A320s.
“The new Boeing 737 aircraft will support our network expansion plans,” said SilkAir’s chief executive Leslie Thng. “The transition to an all-Boeing fleet will enable us to efficiently serve more destinations, fly longer routes and increase capacity on existing routes.”
SilkAir’s first new B737 will enter service on 20 February 2014, flying to destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Medan. The second new aircraft is scheduled to arrive on 17 March and will operate to Siem Reap, Danang, Davao, Cebu and Kochi.
All the new B737-800s and B737 MAX 8s will come fitted with Boeing’s ‘Sky Interior’, which offers larger overhead storage bins, LED lighting and sculpted walls. SilkAir will operate the new aircraft with two cabin classes.
“As air travel in the Asia Pacific region continues to grow, Boeing is proud to support SilkAir’s plans to fly more passengers and serve more cities,” said Dinesh Keskar, Boeing’s senior vice president of Asia Pacific & India sales. “SilkAir’s passengers also will enjoy an enhanced flying experience with the comfort of the 737 Boeing Sky Interior.”
In total, SilkAir will take delivery of eight new B737s in 2014.
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