BAKU, Oct 28, 2009 (AFP) – Ex-Soviet Azerbaijan’s flagship carrier AZAL said Wednesday it had ordered four new Boeing airplanes for its growing fleet, including two of the US company’s 787 Dreamliner long-haul jets.

“Two Boeing 767s will be delivered to Azerbaijan in 2011-12. The date for the arrival of the two more Boeing 787s is not yet known,” Azerbaijan Airlines spokesman Maharram Safarli told AFP.

He refused to disclose any financial conditions of the deal.

“These airplanes have proven their quality internationally. Most importantly, Boeing’s conditions are more acceptable to us,” he said.

AZAL has expanded in recent years amid a major economic boom in energy-rich Azerbaijan. The company’s last big purchase was of four Airbus A-319 passenger airliners in 2005.

Boeing launched the Dreamliner program in April 2004 and the highly anticipated long-haul aircraft is seen as key to the US aerospace giant’s future. But the project has been plagued by repeated delays, with Boeing announcing the fifth postponement earlier this year.

Source: AFP