MAS buys Boeing jets

MAS buys Boeing jets

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The Malaysian Airline System (MAS) said
yesterday it would buy 25 Boeing passenger jets over the next
five years, shutting out European rival Airbus Industries from a
deal worth around US$4.0 billion.

"There could only be one winner," Malaysia Airlines Chairman
Tajudin Ramli told a news conference after the announcement.

McDonnell Douglas Corp also put in a losing bid.

Tajudin said the purchase of 15 Boeing 777s and 10 747-400s
would cost around 10 billion ringgit ($4.0 billion).

He said 70 percent of the financing would come from internal
sources, including the possible sale of some older aircraft, and
the remaining 30 percent would be raised externally.

The first Boeing 777 is expected to be delivered in May 1997
while the first Boeing 747-400 in September 1997. The remaining
aircraft will be delivered on a staggered basis by the year 2001.

MAS also said Rolls-Royce engines would power the Boeing 777
aircraft while the Boeing 747-400 aircraft would use engines of
United Technologies unit Pratt & Whitney.