[Kurt A]

The Boeing Company and Asiana Airlines placed their orders earlier this week for two $438 million 777-200ERs, a twin engine fuel-efficient jetliner.

Already operating 9 Boeing 777s out of 40 Boeing airplanes, Asiana has rights to substitute for the larger 777-300ER which has increased payload and range capacity.

"The additional 777s are ideal for Asiana's future plans," said Rob Laird, vice president of Sales for China and East Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"The 777 is a valuable asset to Asiana's successful long-haul operations and we welcome this opportunity to demonstrate and validate our twin-aisle product strategy success in meeting the airline's high standards of quality." he said.

The twin engine Boeing 777 is economically and environmentally efficient, with over 1,070,777 orders made already and backlog of over 360 77 orders.

-eTravel