GE leasing firm orders 10 Boeing 777-300

WASHINGTON: Boeing said Wednesday it had won an order from US aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services for 10 777-300ER airplanes, worth about $2.8 billion at list prices. GECAS, a unit of General Electric, now has a total of 53 777s on order, including 41 of the extended-range 777-300ERs, Boeing said in a statement.

"A key part of our strategy is to expand our long-haul product offerings to satisfy customer demand," said Norman Liu, GECAS president and chief executive, in the statement. Boeing claims the 777 family is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER extended-range version carries 365 passengers up to 14,685 kilometres (9,125 miles). Boeing touts the aircraft's fuel efficiency, saying it is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, and lower operating costs, at 20 percent less per seat.