Boeing Lands Order For Up To 49 Jetliners

Boeing Co. has won an order to build up to 49 jetliners for Turkish Airlines in a deal potentially worth as much as $2.5 billion, the airplane manufacturer confirmed Tuesday.

The state airline of Turkey placed firm orders for 26 Boeing 737-800s and took options on another 23 of that model, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group spokesman Mark Hooper said.

The 737-800, a new version of the popular small twinjet, is to make its first flight next year. The aircraft seats between 160 and 189 passengers.

Hooper said the first planes would be delivered to Turkish Airlines in 1998 and would continue into 2002, if the options are exercised.