Nakash Group of America Inc. has signed a contract with Boeing Corp. (NYSE:BA) to buy two 787-9 Dreamliners for Arkia Airlines Ltd. for $336 million. Arkia will be the first Israeli airline with this plane in its fleet. The planes will be delivered in 2012. The contract includes an option to by twoe more Boeing 787-9s.
Arkia is evaluating the two engine options for the 787, which are the General Electric GEnx and the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.
Nakash Group of America chairman Joe Nakash said, “We are excited to be the first in Israel to fly our passengers in the superior comfort of the Dreamliner. Like the 787, our businesses are global. The Dreamliner will create unprecedented access to growing markets, facilitate international business and build on the increasing demand for air travel around the world.”
Arkia will operate the Dreamliner on its routes to North America and the Far East.
The Boeing 787 will use 20% less fuel than today's airplanes of comparable size, and provides up to 45% more cargo revenue capacity.
The Arkia fleet currently includes one Boeing 757-200 and two 757-300s, four ATR 72-500s and five Bombardier Dash 7s.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on December 5, 2006
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