Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Romanian low-cost carrier Blue Air announce today an agreement on an order for three Next-Generation 737-900ER jetliners. Earlier this year, the Bucharest-based airline ordered two 737-800s. Today's order is worth $238.5 million at current list prices. The airplanes will be equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4 percent.

"Blue Air is offering affordable air travel to a fast-developing region. The 737 Classic has allowed us to grow our airline steadily and we are confident in the capabilities of the Next-Generation 737 for our airline's future success," said Gheorghe Racaru, general manager of Blue Air.

Blue Air started operations in December 2004 as the first Romanian low-cost carrier. From its base at Bucharest's Baneasa International Airport, Blue Air currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of five 737 Classics and will introduce two leased 737-800s later this year, followed by one more early next year.

"We forecast a continued strong growth in the Eastern European market. Over the next 20 years, airlines in this region will require around 450 new airplanes," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Europe, Russia & Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the Next-Generation 737, Blue Air will be able to grow its business with the most reliable product available today."

The 737-900ER is the latest airplane to join the Next-Generation 737 family, which includes the 737-600, -700, -700ER and -800, and shares the same industry-leading reliability of the other Next-Generation series models. The 737-900ER has substantial economic advantages over competing models, including 6 percent lower operating costs per trip and 4 percent lower operating costs per seat mile than its competitor -- which is more than 9,550 pounds (4,340 kg) heavier.

Ten customers around the world have ordered 232 Boeing 737-900ER airplanes. One hundred fourteen customers have ordered more than 4,700 Next-Generation 737s. Boeing has more than 2,200 unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 valued at more than $160 billion at current list prices.