Singapore Airshow: Boeing signs record $22.4 bn air order for 737s

SINGAPORE: Boeing confirmed a 230-aircraft order worth $22.4 billion at list prices from Indonesian budget carrier PT Lion Mentari Airlines, setting a record for the planemaker. The accord, signed on Tuesday at the Singapore Airshow, includes 201 orders for the in-development 737 MAX and 29 for the extended range 737-900.

Airbus SAS separately announced a contract for 35 of its planned A320neo aircraft from Kuwaitbased Aviation Lease & Finance Co. The two planemakers are working on more fuel-efficient versions of their singleaisle aircraft as they compete for customers in a segment accounting for about 60% of the global fleet.

The firms’ stranglehold on the market is also under threat as Commercial Aircraft of China and Bombardier develop their first planes of that size. Chinese planemaker Comac on Tuesday announced orders for 20 of its C919 plane from BOC Aviation Pte, the leasing unit of Bank of China Ltd. The aircraft is the nation's first large passenger jet.

The Lion Air order is Boeing’s largest in terms of dollar value and aircraft numbers.