New Aircraft To Join Excel Fleet… (Includes -900s!)

Taken from the Avion Group website:

Eight new aircraft to Excel Airways’ fleet
Excel Airways, which forms part of Avion Group’s charter & leisure division, has signed an agreement with GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) for the lease of two Next-Generation Boeing 737-900ER (Extended Range) aircraft being marketed by Boeing in 2007 and two Boeing 737-800s with a delivery in the second quarter in 2007.

Excel Airways, which forms part of Avion Group’s charter & leisure division, has signed an agreement with GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) for the lease of two Next-Generation Boeing 737-900ER (Extended Range) aircraft being marketed by Boeing in 2007 and two Boeing 737-800s with a delivery in the second quarter in 2007. In addition four Boeing 737-800s will be added to the fleet in the first six months of 2007, two from ILFC (International Lease Finance Corporation) and two from RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland). All the aircraft are leased for eight years as a part of the Group’s aircraft fleet renewal plan.

The B737-900ER aircraft will be delivered in May 2008, complementing Excel Airways’ existing fleet and replacing the older and less efficient Boeing 757-200. The B737-900ER will be common to those of other Next-Generation Boeing 737 aircraft thereby enabling a smooth integration of this aircraft into the existing fleet of 10 Boeing 737-800’s. During the peak summer months, Excel operates approximately 30 aircraft with additional aircraft being contracted in from other carriers. Aerodynamic and structural changes allow the B737-900ER to carry more passengers and fly greater distances than the existing B737-900’s. The B737-900ER also has a maximum capacity of 215 passengers in a single class layout compared to the maximum of 189 carried with Boeing 737-800 and 233 carried with Boeing 757-200. Its range extends to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km), making it comparable to that of the B737-800. New technology and improved engine efficiency decreases fuel burn and makes the B737-900ER aircraft one of the most economic single-aisle aircraft in the world.

Excel Airways will use these new aircraft to fly to destinations in Southern Europe and the Middle East. Excel Airways provides services to nearly 50 destinations from ten airports in the UK.

Magnus Thorsteinsson, Chairman of Avion Group said:
“We are pleased to be leasing these aircraft which are not only very efficient but also serve the needs of our customers well. Utilising aircraft such as the Boeing 737-900ER continues to be part of the Group’s fleet modernisation plan.”

Excellent news! Quite a surprise to see them getting -900s, should look good!