Malaysia Airlines will buy 10 additional Next-Generation 737-800s, exercising its option to purchase the additional planes under an orginal deal sealed with Boeing in 2008.

The order is valued at more than US$800 million at current list prices, a joint statement issued by Boeing and MAS at the Paris Air Show said today.

The new planes will be the first in Asia to sport the passenger-pleasing “Boeing Sky Interior” and fitted with Blended Winglets, said to improve fuel efficiency by four percent, increase flying range and reduce carbon dioxide emissions and takeoff noise.

The announcement of the purchase order was made at the Paris Air Show by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice-president of sales, Marlin Dailey, and MAS managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz.

Malaysian Ambassador to France Abdul Aziz Zainal witnessed the event.

“The option we exercised today marks another step in Malaysia Airlines’ mission to strengthen and build upon the airline’s award-winning service and passenger value, efforts that support the company’s business transformation strategy to profitable operation,” Tengku Azmil told Malaysian journalists covering the event.

With their economic advantages, including unmatched fuel efficiency, the airplanes would be right to support MAS business and our customers, he added.

- Bernama