International Lease Orders 40 Jetliners From Boeing

International Lease Finance Corp. formally agreed to order 40 new jetliners from Boeing Co., including 33 wide-body 777s, the Seattle-based aerospace company announced Thursday.

The deal brings the total number of Boeing 777s ordered this year to 113, the most since the company began selling the twin-engine plane in 1990.

The order, valued at about $5.6 billion at list prices, also includes seven smaller 737s.

The Los Angeles-based aircraft leasing company, a unit of insurer American International Group, is ordering eight longer-range 777 models and 25 extended-range 777-200ERs.

Boeing shares fell 88 cents to close at $69.06 on the New York Stock Exchange.

ILFC is to receive its 737s between 2003 and 2005. The 777 models are scheduled for delivery from 2002 through 2009.

ILFC is one of Boeing’s largest customers, having ordered 644 jets.

Boeing’s 777-200ER can fly up to 8,860 miles while carrying 328 passengers in three classes. Boeing said the recently introduced longer-range version will be the longest-range airplane in the world, capable of flying 301 passengers more than 10,000 miles.

A stretched version, the longer-range 777-300, will carry 301 passengers nearly 8,300 miles.

The 777 competes with Airbus Industrie’s two-engine A330 and four-engine A340 jets. Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, has received 33 orders for those planes this year, including 20 from ILFC.