Air Sahara order

has confirmed a previously unidentified

order for 10 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. Air

placed the order in the first quarter of 2006 and was listed in the unidentified category on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries web site.

Valued at more than $700m at list prices, deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid 2009.

The 10 737s will be fitted with blended winglets, which Boeing says will improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, increase range and reduce takeoff noise.

The 737-800, which can seat between 162 to 189 passengers, is 1,500 pounds lighter, can fly 260 nautical miles farther and 1,100 feet higher while carrying 12 more passengers than its nearest rival.

The Next-Generation 737 has logged 422 gross orders in 2006 including this order. As of July 31, 2006, 99 customers placed orders for more than 3,300 Next-Generation 737s; the program has 1,366 unfilled orders with a value of nearly $91bn at current list prices.