"Our purchase of Boeing 737-800s is a natural progression for Air Algérie," said Bouabdallah. "One advantage is that our pilots and engineers are expertly trained and experienced with the airplane. The 737-800 adds great value to our fleet because it is very high-tech and reliable. Reduced operating and maintenance costs mean our airplanes spend less time on the ground and more time in the air making money." 

Air Algérie ordered its new 737s with Blended Winglets, which further reduce fuel burn by approximately four percent. The African carrier will leverage the efficiencies of a standardized single-aisle fleet that delivers high fuel efficiency and related environmental improvements. A Boeing customer for nearly 40 years, Air Algérie operates a Boeing fleet that includes 10 737-800s, five 737-600s and three 767-300s. 

"Air Algérie's order reflects our company's solid business partnership of nearly 40 years with the airline and the proven fuel efficiency and reliability of the Next-Generation 737," said Marty Bentrott, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Sales for the Middle East, Central and South Asia. 

Air Algérie was founded in 1947 as the Société Algérienne de Construction Aéronautique (SACA)-Air Algérie. On May 23, 1953, it merged with the Compagnie Air Transport to form the Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA)-Air Algérie. 

Following independence from France in 1962 the company became Air Algérie (Entreprise Nationale d'exploitation des Services Aériens). In 1963 the Algerian government took possession of 51% of the company assets, increasing its stake to 83% in 1970 and to 100% and nationalization in 1974, after acquisition of the remaining 17% stake held by Air France. It employs 9,775 staff (at March 2007). Air Algerie is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization. Air Algérie is a joint-stock company SPA with a capital of 43,000,000,000 DA.  

Nearly 120 customers around the world have ordered more than 5,000 Next-Generation 737s. Boeing has more than 2,100 unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 valued at more than $158 billion at current list prices. Earlier this year, Boeing announced performance enhancements to the Next-Generation 737 that will reduce fuel consumption by 2 percent by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements.