Turkey gets blended winglets

Sky Airlines of Turkey has placed an order valued at $226 million for three Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ERs with Blended Winglets, making it the first European carrier to order the model.

Sky Airlines also secured purchase rights for two additional 737-900ERs, which it can exercise at a later date if it chooses. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2009.

Sky Airlines, based in Antalya, Turkey, will use the new aircraft for fleet replacement as well as fleet growth. Sky Airlines already operates a fleet of six 737-400s and one 737-800. Sky Airlines is a leader in the Turkish tourism industry, its business focused largely on package holidays.

The Boeing 737-900ER is the largest member of the 737 airplane family and can carry more passengers and fly farther than the 737-900. The derivative seats up to 215 passengers and flies up to 5,900km. Blended Winglets enable an additional 3 to 5 per cent in fuel efficiency.