SIA set to finalise 39 Boeing order next week

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines Ltd will finalise an order for 39 Boeing aircraft worth US$13.8 billion (RM58.3 billion) at list prices when Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visits Washington next week.

The airline said in February it would order 20 777-9 and 19 78710 wide-body aircraft as part of plans to modernise its fleet over the next decade, but the deal is yet to be finalised and placed in Boeing’s order book as a Singapore Airlines order.

Lee told CNBC television on Thursday that he hoped an agreement would be signed with Boeing to buy more aircraft for Singapore Airlines during his US visit from October 22 to 26.

The airline in February said it had also acquired options to order six more aircraft of each type.

Boeing in June booked orders for 20 777Xs and 19 787-10 aircraft for an unidentified customer or customers, making it possible the Singapore Airlines aircraft are already counted in this year’s net orders.

Singapore Airlines is investing in modern, fuel efficient aircraft, while undertaking a strategic review designed to help cut costs amid growing competition from Chinese and Middle Eastern rivals.

Singapore Airlines is the launch customer for the 787-10, a stretch version of the Dreamliner, having made 30 firm orders in addition to the 19 announced in February