KLM Orders 21 Blended Winglet(TM) Systems for Boeing 737-800
SEATTLE, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- KLM receives the first of 7 Boeing 737-800 Performance Enhancing Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglet Systems, as Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE), in March 2007 and will retrofit 14 737-800s between October 2007 and February 2008. With anticipated overall aerodynamic improvement, KLM looks forward to potential fuel savings of 96,000 gallons (365,000 liters) per aircraft per year with Aviation Partners Boeing patented Blended Winglets* Visible Technology.
"We're extremely pleased that KLM has made the decision to equip its entire fleet of 737-NGs with our technology," says Aviation Partners Boeing CEO John Reimers. "Not long ago, KLM Group subsidiary Transavia completed a 100% fleet upgrade to Blended Winglets and is enjoying performance and environmental benefits that are nothing short of compelling. This very successful experience helped confirm the benefits of Blended Winglet Technology to KLM."
While Blended Winglet fuel savings are truly dramatic, with payback on investment typically less than 3 years, environmental benefits of Aviation Partners Boeing technology are also compelling.
"Reduced noise and engine emission benefits of Blended Winglet Technology are important attributes, particularly in Amsterdam and within Europe," says Aviation Partners Sales Director Christopher Stafford. "Following upgrade to Blended Winglets, KLM's 737s will have a 6.5% reduced noise footprint on takeoff and engine emissions such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides will be reduced on the order of 5%. This decision fits in KLM's Corporate Social Responsibility policy to invest in environmental protection that goes beyond regulatory compliance and to introduce the best available technologies in KLM's fleet renewal."
By year-end 2006, over 1500 Blended Winglet Shipsets will be in service with over 100 airlines in more than 40 countries on 6 continents. Currently, 65% of in-service fleet of 737-700s, and 57% of in-service 737-800s, are Blended Winglet Equipped. By the year 2010, with over 4500 airliners upgraded, Blended Winglet Technology will have saved commercial airlines over 2 billion gallons of fuel.
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