Dutch carrier will be first in the Netherlands to operate the 787

AMSTERDAM, June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Arke today celebrated the arrival of the airline’s first 787-8 Dreamliner at the Dutch carrier’s base at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. The airplane departed Paine Field in Everett, Wash. on Wednesday on its delivery flight to the Netherlands. Arke is part of TUI Travel PLC, the largest tourism group in the world.

“The 787 Dreamliner is an excellent fit for our Dutch operations and we are delighted to be the first carrier in the Netherlands to offer this product as part of our unique holiday experiences,” said Elie Bruyninckx, CEO TUI Netherlands. “Passengers travelling on Arke’s 787 will appreciate the airplane’s spacious interior, bigger windows and will arrive at their destination felling refreshed, making it the perfect start to any holiday.”

The 787 is the world’s most technologically advanced airplane with composite materials making up 50 percent of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wing. In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to midsize airplanes, the 787 will provide Arke with unmatched fuel efficiency, using 20 percent less fuel than today’s similarly sized airplanes.

“We are delighted that Arke, an all-Boeing operator, now has its first 787 and in the process becomes the first Dutch carrier to operate this revolutionary airplane,” said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “TUI Netherlands is a leading player in the Dutch holiday market and the Dreamliner will play a key role in setting in apart from its competition by providing an unrivalled passenger experience.”

Arke will use the 787 on its service between Amsterdam and the islands of Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean. The airplane is the first of three Dreamliners to join the carrier’s all-Boeing fleet that also includes Next-Generation 737s and 767-300ERs (Extended Range). TUI Travel has ordered a total of 15 787-8s, of which six have been delivered and are currently in operation with three of the six airlines it operates; Thomson Airways, Jetairfly and now Arke.