Russia’s Transaero Airlines and Boeing have finalized an order for four 787-8 Dreamliners in a deal worth $744 million based on list prices.
The signing was completed aboard a 787 demo flight for Transaero executives last week as the 787 Dream Tour visited Moscow for a few days. Captain Evgeny Nikitin, Commander of Transaero’s 767 and 777 unit, co-piloted the entire flight.
“Our history with Boeing goes back to 1993 when Transaero became the first airline in Russia to fly with Boeing aircraft,” said Transaero Airlines Chairman of the Board of Directors Alexander Pleshakov, in a statement. “Following our innovative approach and our continuous efforts to enhance our product quality, we have chosen the state-of-the-art, highly-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It is very symbolic that our airline became a participant of the first order announcement ceremony conducted in the air on board the 787. Boeing 787s will perform flights on both Transaero’s domestic and international routes.”
Russia’s second largest airline after Aeroflot, Transaero currently operates 75 planes, made up primarily of four types of Boeing aircraft: 737, 747, 767 and 777.
Transaero flies to over 100 destinations from its hub at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, mainly in Europe and Central Asia, plus China, North America and the Caribbean.
The 787 order marks three consecutive deals in which Transaero has purchased four planes. In November 2011, Transaero placed a tentative order for four Airbus A380s, followed a few days later by an order for four Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental jumbo jets.
