Southwest Airlines Orders Blended Winglets "To the MAX"

SEATTLE, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) announced today the largest single order in its history, with Southwest Airlines purchasing up to 268 additional sets of Blended Winglets for Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft, surpassing its original order placed in 2003. This order will ensure that all of Southwest's future Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft will be equipped with Blended Winglets until Southwest Airlines transitions to the Boeing 737MAX.

"Including wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines now serves 97 destinations while operating in an intensely competitive environment," said Darren Waltier, Aviation Partners Boeing director of Sales and Contracts. "With more than 500 aircraft operating with our technology today, Southwest Airlines can expect over $150 million in annual fuel savings, while reducing their CO2 output by more than 580,000 tons per year."

Blended Winglets provide the most reliable form of fuel hedging available in today's volatile fuel market; the performance lasts for the life of the aircraft and regardless of fuel price -- they continue to generate savings. To date, Aviation Partners Boeing estimates that Blended Winglet Technology has saved airlines worldwide more than 3.3 billion gallons of jet fuel.

"Southwest's continued endorsement of APB's Visible Technology has been vital to both our past success and our future opportunities. We cannot thank Southwest Airlines enough for their steadfast support in what we do," added Patrick LaMoria, Aviation Partners Boeing chief commercial officer.

Nearly 5,000 Blended Winglet Systems are now in service on Boeing 737s, 757s and 767s with more than 200 airlines worldwide.

Aviation Partners Boeing is a Seattle based joint venture of Aviation Partners, Inc. and The Boeing Company.