Boeing Wins $1.29-Billion Order for 30 737s

Boeing Co., the world’s biggest airplane maker, won an order for 30 updated 737 jetliners, valued at $1.29 billion, from aircraft leasing company Boullioun Aviation Services Inc. Bellevue, Wash.-based Boullioun, a unit of Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co., placed firm orders for the 737-700s, which list for $43 million apiece. Deliveries will be made from 2001 to 2005. In last-minute negotiations, the leasing company took options to buy 30 more planes, up from 10, which could bring the total value to $2.6 billion, said Ron Woodard, president of Boeing’s commercial airplane group. The announcement is Boeing’s second major order this week, following the $650-million contract for 15 next-generation 737s from EasyJet Airline Co. Options for 15 more planes may boost the value of that order to $1.3 billion. Shares of Seattle-based Boeing fell 25 cents to close at $38.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.