The Boeing Company today officially launched the 737-900ER (Extended Range) – the newest member of the world’s best-selling Next Generation 737 family, following the completion of a sales agreement for up to 60 of the airplanes from Lion Air.

The 737-900ER, formerly known as the 737-900X, will carry more passengers and fly farther, increasing the capability of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family.

Lion Air, Indonesia’s first low-cost carrier, originally announced its intent to order up to 60 737s earlier this year. Today’s firm order is for 60 of the new derivative airplane, with purchase rights for 30 additional models. The order is worth $3.9 billion at list prices.

The first 737-900ER is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2007. “The Next-Generation 737 is the most efficient single aisle airplane family today, and we are thrilled to have Lion Air as the launch customer to increase the 737 family’s capability with the additional range and seating of the 737-900ER,”said Alan Mulally, President and Chief Executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “In addition to the unprecedented economic advantages, the 737-900ER shares the same industry-leading reliability of the world’s most successful airplane family.”

The 737-900ER is the same size as today’s 737-900, but with the addition of a pair of exit doors and a flat rear pressure bulkhead, will carry 26 additional passengers, raising the maximum capacity from 189 to 215 in a single-class layout.

Aerodynamic and structural design changes, including strengthened wings, a two position tailskid, enhancements to the leading and trailing edge flap systems, and optional Blended Winglets and auxiliary fuel tanks, will allow the 737-900ER to accommodate higher takeoff weights and increase its range to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km), making it comparable to the 737-800’s range.

“We are delighted to be the launch customer of B737-900ER,” said President Director Lion Air, Rusdi Kirana. “We are confident that the outstanding economics and reliability of the aircraft will give great contribution to the expansion and modernization of our fleet.”

Powered by the CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines, the new derivative will have substantial economic advantages over competing models including 9 percent lower operating costs per trip and 7 percent lower operating costs per seat than A321, which is more than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) heavier than the 737-900ER.

The Next Generation 737s are 10 years newer and fly higher, faster, farther, and more quietly than competing models. To date, 86 airlines have placed orders for more than 2,700 Next Generation 737s.