India’s SpiceJet and Boeing have confirmed an order for 30 737-800s, a deal valued at $2.3 billion at list price that was first reported by Aviation Week in July.

This order for winglet-equipped Boeing 737-800s, which coincides with President Barack Obama’s visit to India, doubles SpiceJet’s current backlog with Boeing, which consists of 25 737-800s and five 737-900ERs. To date the airline has taken delivery of 24 aircraft for this current backlog.

Boeing’s backlog, however, does not change as these 30 airframes already are included in the 101 narrowbodies listed on its 2010 order book under “unidentified” customers.

“We are extremely satisfied with the Next-Generation 737, an airplane that is reliable, allows for greater efficiency in maintenance and supports the business plan for low-cost carriers,” says SpiceJet’s CEO Neil Mills in a release. “The aviation sector in India is recovering and business and leisure travel is on the rise. With the addition of the new 737s, it will help us expand SpiceJet’s domestic network as well as support the launch of our international destinations.”

Dinesh Keskar, Boeing International VP and president of Boeing India adds, “SpiceJet is already operating a sizeable fleet of 737-800s and 737-900ERs and the new order underscores the airline’s confidence in the airplane.”

These latest 737-800s, which SpiceJet has said will be delivered between 2014 and 2019, will be fitted with Boeing’s Sky Interior.

Boeing 737-800 photo: Boeing