After hearing all of the bad financial news lately, it was good to read some positive reports. On the way to the east coast, I read Larry Kellner's column in Continental Airlines in-flight magazine. Kellner is CEO of that airlines.
Kellner reinforced Continental's Boeing aircraft orders. In 2008, Continental will take delivery of 32 Boeing 737-800 and-900 aircraft and in 2009, it will add 18 more 737 NG (next generation) and two 777s. On average it will take delivery of two or three new planes from Boeing over the years ahead.
This increases Continental's total Boeing orders to 100 new jets, including 25 state of the art 787 Dreamliners.
Kellner said the best hedge against high fuel prices is retiring airplanes with high fuel consumption. By flying younger, fuel efficient airplanes, Continental reduced its fuel consumption by 35%.
Now, lets get back to work assembling those Boeing airplanes in Renton, Everett and Seattle. With airlines frantically working to reduce operating costs, particularly fuel, we don't want them switching to Airbus. In this economy, don't give any airplane buyer a reason to cancel or postpone orders...or, as I said, switch to Airbus.
Don C. Brunell, President (DonB@awb.org)
