EVERETT, Wash., August 26, 2011 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered to Reunion Island-based Air Austral its first Boeing 777-200LR at a ceremony today.

As one of the newest members of the 777 family, the 777-200LR has the capability to connect non-stop virtually any two cities in the world. Air Austral’s 777-200LR will enable the airline to fly non-stop from Mayotte, a French Department north of Madagascar, to Paris.

“Boeing’s 777-200LR will provide exceptional value to our airline,” said Gérard Ethève, Air Austral’s president and CEO. “The airplane has superior takeoff capabilities including takeoffs from short runways with maximum payload. We are confident that the addition of the 777-200LR to Air Austral’s fleet will result in improved operating economics and increased efficiencies as well as optimize customer satisfaction. Its commonality with the 777-300ER is a great advantage in terms of managing operating and service costs.”

Air Austral currently operates a fleet of six 777-300ERs and 777-200ERs. With this delivery, Air Austral becomes the second carrier in Africa to take delivery of the 777-200LR airplane.

“Boeing appreciates its partnership with Air Austral and its commitment to the 777 family,” said Marty Bentrott, vice president for Sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are confident that the 777-200LRs high capacity in terms of passenger and cargo load will add tremendous value to Air Austral.”

The Boeing 777-200LR airplane can fly farther than any other airplane, while carrying a full passenger and cargo load, on routes where other airplanes are payload limited.

Source and photo: Boeing