Boeing sells 39 planes to GE unit for $5.3 billion

GE Commercial Aviation Services, or GECAS, one of the world’s two leading aircraft leasing firms, will take delivery of 15 777 minijumbos and 24 single-aisle 737-800s between 2008 and 2010.

The order was booked in 2006 but previously unidentified on Boeing’s online order book.

GECAS’s order consists of seven 777-300ER (Extended Range) passenger jets and eight 777 Freighters, along with 24 737-800s.

“We already have customers lined up for many of these aircraft,” GECAS Chief Executive Henry Hubschman said in a statement.

GECAS has a fleet of 1,450 aircraft that it leases to more than 230 airlines. It vies with International Lease Finance Corp., a unit of American International Group Inc., as the world’s biggest plane leasing company.

Boeing outsold European rival Airbus (EAD.PA) last year for the first time since 2000. So far this year Boeing has taken new orders for only four commercial aircraft.