ILFC Orders 10 Boeings in USD$1.2 Bln Deal

Leasing firm International Lease Finance (ILFC) ordered 10 Boeing aircraft on Wednesday in a deal worth USD$1.2 billion at list prices.

ILFC said it was converting options into orders for six 737-800, two 777-300ER and two 787s.

Deliveries of the 737s and 777s were scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2009 and the 787 deliveries were expected in early 2012, Boeing said in a statement.

Steven Udvar-Hazy, the influential boss of ILFC who earlier this year criticized rival planemaker Airbus's original A350 design, said the purchase underlined ILFC's commitment to Boeing planes.

Udvar-Hazy told reporters that Airbus had taken "a step in the right direction" by redesigning the A350, but said important details needed to be worked out.

He said AIG had no plans to cancel its orders for the A350 nor for the A380 superjumbo.