Boeing racks up $9.5 billion in 737 orders at Farnborough Airshow

The Boeing Co. so far has announced the sale of about $9.5 billion worth of Renton-built, Next-Generation 737-800s at the Farnborough Airshow in London.

Including firm orders and options, that’s 127 737s. As of July 13, Boeing has announced 138 orders for the 737, but that includes a 12-plane order announced Tuesday.

The airshow runs through Sunday.

Tuesday, Boeing announced the purchase of up to 60 Next-Generation 737-800s by Air Lease Corporation.

The agreement includes 54 firm orders and six options, with delivery scheduled through 2017. At list prices, the deal is worth roughly $4.5 billion; the details of the agreement are still being finalized, according to Boeing’s Web site.

Boeing also announced Tuesday that Ireland-based leasing company Avolon has ordered 12 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 jetliners. The order is worth $921 million.

Those are on top of the 55 orders for 737-800s announced Monday at the air show, including 40 by GE Capital Aviation Services and 15 by low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA.

The GE Capital order is worth $3 billion and the Norwegian purchase is valued at $1.15 billion. GE Capital is the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric.

The single-aisle 737 is the best-selling jetliner ever and the short-haul workhorse for airlines all over the world. Boeing has steadily increased the jet’s production rate to meet demand and in early 2012 will produce 35 737s a month in Renton.

Boeing recently signed a 40-year lease with the City of Renton for its production facilities at the Renton Municipal Airport. Boeing has produced more than 6,000 737s in Renton.

Air Lease Corporation, based in Los Angeles, was founded in February.

“We have selected the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 as a cornerstone of our growing commercial aircraft lease fleet. The 737-800 represents an opportunity for our wide range of airline clients to operate this most economical, fuel efficient and versatile 150-189 passenger airplane, on a wide variety of airline missions profitably,” said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, chairman and CEO of Air Lease Corporation, in a Boeing news release.

The Avolon order “is especially significant because it is a brand-new player in the leasing industry, having just launched in May and established offices around the world,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in a press release.

Albaugh said Avolon’s selection of the 737 “is another indicator of the 737’s value to airlines and investors. Their entry into the marketplace is another signal that both the aviation industry and the air transport sector are recovering – and that’s good news for all of us.”