Continental Airlines says it has added 27 aircraft to its firm order positions at Boeing, including eight 777s and 19 Next-Generation 737 (737NG) aircraft.
The aircraft orders are intended to give Continental the flexibility to replace less efficient airplanes and to pursue growth opportunities, the carrier said in a statement.
This new order brings Continental's total firm commitments to 111 new Boeing aircraft, comprising 25 x 787s, eight 777s and 78 x 737s for delivery over the next six years.
In addition, Continental has options to purchase 102 more planes. Continental has taken delivery of five 737NG aircraft this year and plans to take delivery of 27 additional 737NG aircraft by the end of 2008.
Already operating twenty 777 aircraft globally, Continental will use the eight latest additional aircraft for long-haul international routes, such as the Newark Liberty-Shanghai route that is scheduled to start in 2009.
"The need for international wide bodies is also driven by Continental's London Heathrow service next month, the company largest expansion into a single airport in one day. Continental will begin service to Heathrow twice daily from Liberty and twice daily from Houston," the carrier added.
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