Boeing sells 25 planes to Ireland\'s Avolon

US aerospace giant Boeing said Thursday that Irish leasing company Avolon had ordered 25 aircraft, including 15 of its new fuel-efficient 737 MAX planes. The order was valued at $2.4 billion at current list prices, Boeing said in a statement. First announced as a commitment from Avolon at the Farnborough Airshow in July, Boeing said the order was for 10 737 MAX 8s, five 737 MAX 9s and 10 Next-Generation 737-800s. \"Our customers are always looking for more fuel-efficient airplanes,\" John Higgins, president and chief commercial officer for Avolon, said in the statement. \"The 737 MAX will provide the fuel efficiency and operating economics airlines need to be successful. The 737 MAX is in high demand worldwide and securing valuable, attractive positions early in the MAX program ideally positions Avolon to best serve our growing global customer base.\" First deliveries of the 737 MAX are planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017. Including this order, Boeing said it had 664 orders for the 737 MAX from seven customers. Avolon said its focus was on \"young\" fuel-efficient aircraft, including the Airbus A320 and A330 families, and the Embraer 190 family. Headquartered in Ireland, the global aircraft leasing company has a fleet of 164 aircraft serving 34 customers in 22 countries.