Boeing Lands Deal For Up To 23 Jets

Partnerships formed by GATX Capital Corp. have ordered as many as 23 Boeing jetliners valued at up to $1.2 billion, GATX said Wednesday.

The orders include 10 firm orders and 10 options for 737-800s, plus a firm order for one 757-200 and options for two more.

The first 757-200 will be delivered next April and will be leased to Flying Colours, a new British charter airline, San Franciso-based GATX Capital said in a news release.

The 737s were ordered by GATX 737-800 Partners, whose initial members include Heller Financial Inc. and Kanematsu Corp. The 757s were ordered by GATX 757 Partners.

The 10 firm 737s are scheduled to be delivered from the fourth quarter of 1998 through thirdquarter 1999. The options would be delivered from September 1999 through the second quarter of 2001.

GATX Capital, a subsidiary of Chicago-based GATX Corp., provides financing for transportation, industrial and information technology equipment.

So far this year, customers have ordered 301 Boeing jets, compared with 346 planes in all of 1995.