Continental Micronesia's first Boeing 737-800 with blended winglets enters service

The first of Continental Micronesia's next-generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft fitted with blended winglets has entered revenue service.

The aircraft arrived in Guam this week from Hong Kong after being fitted with the winglets. Continental has invested nearly $500,000 per aircraft to have the winglets installed. All nine of Continental Micronesia’s 737 aircraft will have winglets installed by the end of the year.

Earlier this year, Continental Airlines began to add blended winglets to its airplanes to reduce fuel consumption. All of the airline’s Boeing 737-800s and 737-700s will be fitted with winglets by the end of spring of 2006.

“Fitting our fleet with winglets furthers our plan to partially offset the higher fuel costs, and represents our commitment to employing the latest in technology to enhance our flight operations,” said Continental Micronesia President and Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Erwin.

A winglet is an extension at the tip of each wing. It is 8.16 feet high, increases the wingspan by 4.5 feet, and weighs 518 pounds per shipset. The addition of winglets reduces drag, and consumes 3-5% less fuel, resulting in savings of as much as 300,000 liters per airplane per year.

In addition to improving take-off performance and increasing payload range, winglets are environmentally friendly. They enhance performance at noise-restricted airports and cut the affected area by 6.5%. By reducing fuel consumption winglets help lower NOx emissions by 5%.

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