Virgin Blue Boeing Deal
Virgin Blue Boeing Deal – Virgin Blue will spend $8.4 billion on 105 new Boeing jets in a deal sealed on the strength of a simple handshake in the small hours of last Sunday.
Outgoing Virgin chief Brett Godfrey and Boeing salesman Roland Ramirez were on the back verandah of Mr Godfrey’s house in Brisbane when they shook hands at 3am for the biggest order the airline has made for new aircraft.
It also was Boeing’s biggest sale in 18 months and was announced yesterday — the same day Malaysian Airlines signed a $4.25 billion order for 17 long-haul aircraft with European builder Airbus.
The Virgin Blue and Malaysian orders are seen as the first major signs of a turnaround in the fortunes of aircraft manufacturers and the global aviation market which has endured its worst slump since World War II over the past 18 months.
Mr Godfrey said the agreement placed Virgin Blue in a strong position to “prepare for steady future growth” as domestic and short-haul markets recovered.
“It will also ensure a turnover of aircraft to maintain the youngest fleet of modern aircraft which is crucial for maintaining our commitment to on-time performance and the lowest-cost base possible,” he said.
Sunday’s early morning handshake deal was not formalised until late Wednesday, when Mr Godfrey put his signature on the official contract.
Tags: 3am, Airbus, Aircraft Manufacturers, Aviation Market, Boeing, Boeing Jets, Fortunes, Global Aviation, Handshake Deal, Last Sunday, Malaysian Airlines, Mr Godfrey, New Aircraft, Slump, Time Performance, Turnaround, Turnover, Verandah, virgin blue, World War Ii
Posted in Money, Travel
No Comments