Leasing giant Avolon to order 40 Boeing 737 MAX jets

The international aircraft leasing company giant Avolon has announced a commitment to order 40 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with delivery scheduled to be between 2027 and 2030, despite more production line issues and problems. 

Avolon delivered the first 737 MAX in 2017, along with the one thousandth 737 MAX earlier this year and this will increase the overall size of Avolon’s owned, managed and committed fleet to 870 aircraft.

Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, commented: "This commitment with Boeing underlines our confidence in the positive momentum in the aviation market, and increases our portfolio of young, modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. With strong demand for our new technology order book, and delivery slots at a premium, it strengthens and extends our delivery profile with Boeing. This commitment will also support our airline customers who are looking to plan beyond the robust post-Covid traffic recovery and prepare for future growth, while also reducing their carbon emissions."

The transaction is subject only to approval by shareholders of Bohai Leasing Co., Ltd., Avolon’s 70% shareholder, which is anticipated before the end of May. The actual cost of the deal has not been disclosed, however, as usual, with large multi-aircraft orders to existing customers, discounts of 20-30% on list prices are not unusual.  

Boeing recently announced that a supplier had revealed that the installation of fittings at the rear of 737 MAX jets did not follow the standard and warned there could be delays.  Whilst Boeing assured the issue was not an "immediate safety of flight issue" many have doubted the sincerity of the words, recalling previous Boeing statements about the risks of other issues encompassing the safety of the 737 MAX. 

The jets have been beset with problems and issues since the two crashes that led to a year-long grounding of the type. In-flight issues surrounding the horizontal stabiliser, autopilot, and engines have all caused concern. Some airlines indicate privately that the savings promised by the manufacturer have not yet been seen in 'real-world' operational use and are clouding the future.  

Icelandair to move away from Boeing to Airbus......

Icelandair is turning away from Boeing as it signs up for 13 Airbus A321XLR aircraft to replace its ageing Boeing 757 fleet and long-term plans will see the carrier slowly transition away from Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

The deal the Icelandic carrier has signed with Airbus also has options for a further 12 aircraft and the planes are scheduled to start arriving in 2029.  However,  Icelandair is currently in negotiations for leasing four Airbus A321LR to arrive in 2025.   Further additions can be expected in the years thereafter. With the acquisition of the Airbus aircraft, Icelandair will complete the replacement of the Boeing 757.

The agreed purchase price of the 13 aircraft is confidential, however, is understood to be 20% less than the current list prices. Whilst the financing of the aircraft is yet to be determined, Icelandair will explore financing options closer to the delivery dates which is expected to include a sale and lease back deal with two aircraft leasing firms. 

The A321XLR and A321LR aircraft are part of the Airbus A320neo Family of narrow-body aircraft that provide an excellent range, fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. The implementation of the aircraft will reduce operating costs, further support Icelandair’s sustainability targets and offer exceptional customer experience through the aircraft design and unique features. The aircraft has around 190 seats in Icelandair’s layout. In comparison, the Boeing 757-200 aircraft has 183, whereas the 737 MAX 8 and the 737 MAX 9 have a passenger capacity of 160 and 178, respectively.

Bonza welcomes Bazza.....

A couple of days ago in Marcoola, Queensland a Bonza bird named Bazza landed for the first time!

Photo Sunshine Coast Airport

The Sunshine Coast Airport welcomed the arrival of Bazza, the second aircraft in the colours of the new budget airline Bonza of Australia. CEO Andrew Brodie welcomed the arrival saying it was a step closer to the first flights from the airport for the fledging airline, “Our partnership with Bonza will benefit the wider region, the State and community by connecting more people to more places, bringing them closer to the moments that matter most” 

Travelling from Nadi, the Boeing 737 MAX jet aircraft, registration VH-UIK, arrived at Sunshine Coast Airport at 9:20am on 29th October and will help the carrier start flying operations. Bonza is scheduled to fly to 13 destinations initially, with more added to the timetable next year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bazza to Bonza’s backyard – Sunshine Coast Airport. He will join Shazza as the second aircraft in our fleet. We thank Sunshine Coast Airport for their ongoing support as a true extension to the Bonza team of legends,” said Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza.

The airline has also registered a third Boeing 737 MAX in the last week or so and the aircraft is expected to arrive in the next few weeks.

Photo Sunshine Coast Airport

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Air101: Miami-based private investment firm 777 Partners orders more Boeing 737 MAX jets

Air101: Bonza becomes first Australian airline to take delivery of the new 737 MAX

Alaska Airlines firms up options for 52 Boeing MAX jets

Alaska Airlines announced this week it is exercising options to purchase 52 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2027—growing the airline’s confirmed 737 MAX fleet from 94 to 146. Alaska also secured rights for 105 more planes through 2030, ensuring access to sufficient aircraft for fleet replacement and growth. This agreement represents the largest commitment for future aircraft in the airline’s history.

"This investment secures aircraft to optimize our growth through the next decade, which we know will be a formidable competitive advantage," said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “We’re proud of the strong financial foundation that uniquely positions Alaska to make this commitment to our future, and of the fantastic partnership we share with our hometown aircraft manufacturer at Boeing.”

Already operating a fleet of 35 737-MAX 9 aircraft, the airline expects to take delivery of another 43 MAX aircraft between now and the end of 2023—at which point it will once again operate a mainline fleet solely of Boeing aircraft. Alaska Air says the performance of the 737- MAX 9 has exceeded its expectations on economics and fuel efficiency.

This order positions Alaska’s fleet as one of the most efficient, environmentally friendly, and profitable fleets in the industry. The order includes MAX 8s, 9s and 10s enabling Alaska to optimally match aircraft size and capability with market characteristics. 

“As Alaska Airlines sustainably grows its fleet, the 737 MAX family offers environmental performance and flexibility to expand service across its route network,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Built in our Renton factory near Alaska’s headquarters in Washington state, these airplanes will carry passengers to destinations for years to come.”

Alaska Airlines announced today it is exercising options to purchase 52 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2027

Alaska Airlines announced today it is exercising options to purchase 52 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2027—growing the airline’s confirmed 737 MAX fleet from 94 to 146. Alaska also secured rights for 105 more planes through 2030, ensuring access to sufficient aircraft for fleet replacement and growth. This agreement represents the largest commitment for future aircraft in the airline’s history.

"This investment secures aircraft to optimize our growth through the next decade, which we know will be a formidable competitive advantage," said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “We’re proud of the strong financial foundation that uniquely positions Alaska to make this commitment to our future, and of the fantastic partnership we share with our hometown aircraft manufacturer at Boeing.”

Already operating a fleet of 35 737-MAX 9 aircraft, the airline expects to take delivery of another 43 MAX aircraft between now and the end of 2023—at which point it will once again operate a mainline fleet solely of Boeing aircraft. Alaska Air says the performance of the 737- MAX 9 has exceeded its expectations on economics and fuel efficiency.

This order positions Alaska’s fleet as one of the most efficient, environmentally friendly, and profitable fleets in the industry. The order includes MAX 8s, 9s and 10s enabling Alaska to optimally match aircraft size and capability with market characteristics. 

“As Alaska Airlines sustainably grows its fleet, the 737 MAX family offers environmental performance and flexibility to expand service across its route network,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Built in our Renton factory near Alaska’s headquarters in Washington state, these airplanes will carry passengers to destinations for years to come.”

American pilots union opposes equipment exemption for Boeing 737-7 MAX and 737-10 MAX aircraft

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines, expressed its strong opposition to any extension of the equipment exemption for the Boeing 737-7 MAX and Boeing 737-10 MAX, which is scheduled to expire in December. 

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association – the largest independent pilots union in the United States – is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines, including several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. 

“Boeing needs to proceed with installing modern crew alerting systems on these aircraft to mitigate pilot startle-effect and confusion during complex, compound system malfunctions,” said APA President Capt. Edward Sicher. “Once these systems are installed and pilots have been properly trained on them, our crews will be better able to identify system failures and prioritize corrective actions that could save lives.”

Sicher noted that American Airlines pilots fly more than 300 B-737s for the airline.

“We oppose any extension of the exemption and don’t agree with Boeing’s claim that pilots could become confused when moving from an airplane without the modern alert system to one that is equipped with it. Nothing could be further from our flight deck reality,” Capt. Sicher said. “Consider the Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 – they’re substantially different airplanes, yet operate under a single certificate. Pilots have routinely flown both on the same day without any confusion.

“Pilots must have the tools we need to keep our passengers safe. By equipping these aircraft with modern crew alerting systems, Boeing can maintain a strong order book for them, which will in turn protect the jobs of the thousands of hard-working men and women who build the airplanes. Doing so will also help Boeing to continue rebuilding public trust.”

Aviation Capital Group Announce Order for 12 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

Aviation Capital Group and Boeing yesterday at the Farnborough International Airshow announced ACG is growing its 737 MAX portfolio with an order for 12 additional 737-8 MAX aircraft. As the travel market recovers, ACG is increasing its 737-8 offering to meet airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient, and sustainable operations. The order was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

“This latest incremental 737 MAX order allows ACG to offer highly fuel-efficient aeroplanes to our airline customers around the world,” said Mahoko Hara, ACG Executive Chair. “These additional 737 MAX aircraft will help position ACG’s order book for a recovery in air traffic coming out of the pandemic.”

Today’s announcement will see ACG expand its 737 MAX order book to 34 aeroplanes, building upon an order for nine 737-8s in May 2022. Boeing is seeing strong market demand for the 737 MAX family, with more than 1,000 gross orders across all models since late 2020.

“The 737 MAX family strengthens ACG’s narrowbody portfolio, providing operators with excellent fuel efficiency and flexibility across different networks,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “Topping up with additional 737-8s positions ACG well to respond to growing airline demand. We look forward to more opportunities to expand our relationship to support ACG and their customers.”

The 737-8 is a member of the 737 MAX family, which is designed to offer more fuel efficiency, reliability, and flexibility in the single-aisle market. The aeroplane can fly 3,550 nautical miles – about 600 miles farther than its predecessor – allowing airlines to offer new and more direct routes for passengers. Compared to the aeroplanes it replaces, the 737-8 also delivers superior efficiency, using 20% less fuel and significantly reducing CO2 emissions and operating costs.

SmartLynx Airlines increasing fleet to 60 aircraft to cope with growing demand.....................

SmartLynx Airlines provides Aircraft-Crew-Maintenance-Insurance services to help several European airlines deal with a resource crisis caused by the rising passenger numbers, lack of spare parts, and labour shortages. The company currently operates a fleet of 44 aircraft, which is expected to increase to 60 by the end of the summer, making SmartLynx Airlines the operator of the largest aircraft fleet in the Baltic countries.

“The aviation market has experienced great fluctuations in the past three years – from the best year in history in terms of passenger turnover to 2020, when this business almost ceased to exist. Currently, airlines around the world are seeing a huge increase in passenger numbers, struggling to meet the demand. Due to disruptions in supply chains, spare parts for aircraft repairs arrive late, there are labour shortages at both airlines and airports, and fuel prices have increased significantly. At the moment, the biggest problems can be observed at the large airports in the Netherlands and Great Britain, where people have to wait in long queues as the airports are short-handed,” says SmartLynx Airlines CEO Žygimantas Surintas.

In most cases, Aircraft-Crew-Maintenance-Insurance is a short- or medium-term solution so that airlines could ensure the necessary number of flights during the high season. Airlines that have large fleets also use this service when an aircraft has technical problems and a quick solution is needed, which also comes with excellent service. SmartLynx Airlines is currently one of the largest ACMI operators in Europe with a 30% market share, and the largest in Great Britain (69%). The expansion in the British market is due to the fact that, in the wake of Brexit, airlines are short of employees as crews of UK-registered aircraft must have British visas, which is why airlines prefer to lease aircraft with crews.

“Buying new aircraft means enormous investment, and for the purchase to be profitable, the plane needs to be up in the air all year round, carrying cargo or passengers. That is why airlines do not purchase additional aircraft for crisis situations, but rather lease aircraft from other airlines when necessary. ACMI operators, or Aircraft-Crew-Maintenance-Insurance companies, offer airlines an alternative to the financial burden associated with long-term aircraft ownership by providing temporary access to aircraft, crews, maintenance, and insurance," explains SmartLynx Airlines CEO Žygimantas Surintas.

Using the crisis as an opportunity

New lease deal for Icelandair on two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

Icelandair has entered into agreements with BOC Aviation (BOCA), regarding long-term operating leases of two new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered from Boeing in the fall of 2023. This transaction will bring the total number of 737 MAX in the Icelandair fleet up to 20 aircraft. 

Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO of Icelandair Group: “We are pleased to announce the new agreements with BOCA, a long-lasting business partner. Locking in these aircraft favorable on favorable terms enables the company to expand our fleet of Boeing 737 MAX and supports our future growth plans. The aircraft offer excellent fuel-efficiency from previous generation aircraft which also contribute to our efforts of reducing the carbon emissions from our operations.” 

Icelandair, a shadow of its once-massive travel and hospitality empire is facing much greater competition from homegrown rival Play and the major U.S. airlines and has been struggling financially for some time, but now appears to have turned a corner. During the month of May, it carried a total of 290,524 on international flights, with the number of passengers to Iceland was around 116,000 and from Iceland around 51,000. Via passengers were around 124,000 or 43% of the total number of international passengers. The carrier's load factor on international flights was up to 74%, compared to 35% in May 2021.   

Air Models have a range of aircraft models, including some special 737 MAX models, including this one in the colours of flydubai.  

Other airlines featured include Air China,  Xiamen Air and China Southern 

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Icelandair signs LOI for four additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

Icelandair signs LOI for four additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

Icelandair has entered into a Letter of Intent for the purchase of four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The aircraft were built in 2018 and are scheduled to be delivered in the fall of 2022. This transaction will bring the total number of 737 MAX in the Icelandair fleet up to 18 aircraft.

Bogi Nils Bogason, Icelandair CEO: “We are pleased to announce a further expansion to our fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on favourable terms. The MAX has proven to be a good fit to our route network and its fuel efficiency contributes positively to our efforts of reducing the carbon emissions from our operations. We have been ramping up our operations, expanding our strong route network that connects Europe and North America via Iceland. This summer we offer direct flights from Iceland to 44 destinations, up to five times a day. This addition to our fleet allows us to further increase our services by adding new destinations and increasing frequency to our current destinations.”

However, according to an Icelandair first officer, 6 pilots have reported issues to maintenance over unusual or unexpected events occurring in the cockpit to flight controls or systems in as many weeks when flying on MAX jets. 

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Akasa Air shows off first new 737 MAX jet

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline that aims to be dependable offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares is getting ready to fly with its first Boeing 737 MAX jet.

Akasa’s youthful personality, employee-centric philosophy, tech-led approach, and culture of service will be a key part of the carrier's growth as it seeks to make a big mark on India's commercial aviation industry. 

Akasa Air has placed a firm order of 72 Boeing 737 MAX aeroplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient, LEAP-1B engines. With a fleet of 737 MAX jets, Akasa plans to have the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.

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Help for Heroes Charity helps to rebuild the lives of those with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces. No matter when someone served, H4H give them the support they need to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives. They provide support to the whole family to help them all cope with the challenges they face. Long-term recovery is more than repairing damaged bodies and minds; it’s about rebuilding lives.

Air Models have a range of aircraft models, including some special 737 MAX models, including this one in the colours of flydubai.  

Other airlines featured include Air China,  Xiamen Air and China Southern 

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China Southern Airlines dropping 737 MAX from its fleet.....

According to unconfirmed reports, China Southern Airlines has been in negotiations with Boeing about dropping out of an order for Boeing 737 MAX jets. It would appear the airline has dropped the 737 MAX from its planned aircraft delivery schedule until at least 2025. China Southern's Chairman Ma Xulun told investors as recently as last week that the firm plans to receive 30 aircraft in 2022, 36 in 2023, and 12 in 2024, all excluding the 737 MAX.  

A Boeing spokesperson said "We communicate regularly with all of our customers. Our delivery commitments and customer expectations have not changed."

The domestic aviation industry in China has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic seeing passenger numbers down by over 90% which is causing all airlines to rethink their fleet development plans.  

China Southern has retrained some pilots in the operation of the MAX jets prior to the lockdowns in preparedness for when Chinese aviation regulators would clear the model for flight again. However,  no new plans have been put in place. 

China Southern says delivery timetable for Boeing 737 MAX jets not confirmed By Reuters (investing.com)

You can own your very own China Southern 737 MAX aircraft. 

View here....

Were Boeing and Southwest Airlines conspiring to deceive the Federal Aviation Administration?

The Seattle Times newspaper is reporting that legal papers filed recently indicate that Southwest Airlines manager Bill Lusk asked officials at Boeing, including the 737 MAX chief technical pilot Mark Forkner, if engineers could install the then-new 'Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System' flight-control safety alert required for the MAX on a single one of Southwest’s older 737s — and then deactivate it once the MAX was certified.  According to the papers, the only reason for this proposal was for Boeing to tell the FAA that the alert was not new on the MAX so that it wouldn’t trigger costly additional pilot training that Southwest was focused on avoiding. 

“It’s hard to come up with any reason for that other than to deceive the FAA,” said Mary Schiavo, former U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General and advocate for airline safety. “It’s really appalling.”

Southwest and Boeing seem to have colluded in pilot training and the low-cost carrier got its way according to the report.  It 737 NG pilots were able to upgrade to fly the 737 MAX jets after doing a simple three-hour course on a tablet computer. 

Southwest has been the biggest customer of Boeing 737 models, including the MAX and is said to have a much higher spehere of influence at the manufacturer than any other airline. 

 Southwest Airlines proposed a ploy to deceive FAA on Boeing 737 MAX, legal filing alleges | The Seattle Times

Did Southwest Ask For A Modification To A 737 MAX To Deceive The FAA? (simpleflying.com)

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Air Canada resumes service between London Heathrow and Halifax, Nova Scotia with Boeing 737 MAX

                                             Air Canada has resumed its year-round non-stop service between London Heathrow and Halifax, operating up to once daily. The additional route is the airline’s fifth nonstop service from London, which builds on existing flights from London Heathrow to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. Air Canada will operate nine nonstop daily flights between London and Canada during the summer peak.  

Air Canada operates nine daily non-stop flights between London and Canada during the summer peak to five destinations 

 

Air Canada flights from London Heathrow to Halifax will be operated with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, accommodating 169 passengers, with a choice of two classes of service: Premium Economy and Economy. All flights are timed to optimize connectivity to Air Canada's extensive North American network, including 46 airports in the U.S. Seats are available for booking at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada App, Air Canada's Contact Centres and travel agencies. 

“This is great news for our British customers as they plan their next trip to Canada,” said Stephen Gerrard, Air Canada General Manager Sales, U.K. and Ireland. “As we expand our schedule from the U.K., our non-stop flights from London to Halifax will provide our customers with even greater travel choice. Everyone can look forward to a warm welcome when they board Air Canada.” 

 In addition to the year-round non-stop service between London Heathrow and Halifax, Air Canada currently offers non-stop services from London Heathrow to Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal and Calgary as well as between Dublin and Toronto. The airline will resume its seasonal services between Edinburgh and Toronto, starting 1 June 2022, Manchester, and Toronto, starting 1 June 2022, Dublin, and Montreal, starting 2 June 2022 and between Dublin and Vancouver, starting 3 June 2022.  

 

 

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Air Lease to add 35 Boeing 737 MAX jets to its orderbook

Half price Boeings for leasing giant.

This week U.S. planemaker Boeing and aircraft leasing giant Air Lease Corp have announced another order for the 737 MAX family of jets to be added to the lessor's order book. 

ALC is adding 32 additional 737 MAX 8s and 737 MAX 9s planes to its total order as travel demand continues to improve. "Following our memorandum of understanding with Boeing in February for these 32 737 MAX aircraft, we are pleased to announce the signing of this definitive purchase agreement. We believe that the economic and operating advantages of the 737 MAX will serve our airline customers well as they favour modern, fuel-efficient aircraft," said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation.

ALC currently has an order backlog of 130 Boeing 737 MAX family of jets,  "The 737 MAX family has already proved its value within ALC's narrowbody portfolio, providing operators with excellent fuel efficiency and flexibility across different networks," said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing. "The addition of more 737 MAXs, including 737-8s and 737-9s, will enable ALC to respond to accelerating market demand as air travel continues to recover."

Both Air Lease Corp and Boeing have not revealed the cost of each aircraft publicly, however, when all discounts and concessions are applied, the price of jets is just a few thousand high than half the manufacturer's list price. 

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Aeromexico signs deal to lease nine Boeing 737 MAX jets...............

This week the aircraft leasing giant Air Lease Corporation confirmed it had struck a deal with one of the leading airlines in Mexico, Aeromexico to lease them nine Boeing 737 MAX jets.

The deal will see the company get two 737 MAX 8s and seven MAX 9s which are currently in storage from cancelled orders after the two fatal crashes that saw the type grounded for nearly two years. Aeromexico is scheduled to take delivery of the last plane in early August next year. 

“Air Lease Corporation is Aeromexico’s largest lessor, and we are pleased to further our relationship with the airline with these nine new Boeing 737 aircraft lease placements,” said Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation.  “The 737 offers the most modern, fuel-efficient technology to enhance the global capabilities of Mexico’s premier airline.”

“Aeromexico is delighted once again to partner with ALC to help modernize our fleet with new fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly Boeing aircraft in 2022 and 2023,” said Dr Andres Conesa, CEO of Aeromexico.

The carrier is just emerging for bankruptcy protection and has said it plans to invest around $5 million on updating and renewing its aircraft fleet, with an estimate of operating nearly 150 planes by the end of the year. 

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Arajet orders 20 737 MAX Jets

Boeing has received a massive order from a brand new Caribbean airline Arajet that could see up to 20 737 MAX jets flying with the carrier from the Dominican Republic.

The order had been finalised in January and was showing as 'unidentified customer' in Boeing's order book and is for the MAX 8 variety with an option for an additional 15 jets. All in all with lease deals included could see the airline taking 40 Boeing aeroplanes in total. 

Photo dominicantoday.com

"The efficient Boeing 737 MAX, together with financial and operational support from our partners at Griffin and Bain Capital, gives us the solid foundation necessary to provide flights at affordable prices to travellers in the region," said Victor Pacheco Mendez, founder and executive officer of Arajet. "These partners believe in our vision and see the same bright future for this market and beyond. The entire team was elated to see our first aircraft arrive in Santo Domingo a few days ago, and we are eager to expand our fleet with more of these amazing jets in the months ahead."

"The 737 MAX is the perfect fit for Arajet and it's an honour to welcome this exciting new operator to the Boeing family," said Mike Wilson, vice president of sales, Latin America & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Flying an exclusive 737 MAX fleet will enable Arajet to save on fuel, maintenance and operations costs, and pass those savings on to its customers."

The carrier is scheduled to begin operations in May from Las Américas International Airport with an initial roster of destinations, including Jamaica, Costa Rica and Colombia. Flights to the U.S. will start later in the year with various destinations under consideration beyond Miami.  It hasn't ruled out transatlantic flights in future, however, the cost basis would need to come down dramatically for that sort of operation to be financially viable. 

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CDB Aviation Completes Deliveries of Seven 737 MAX Aircraft to Brazil’s GOL

CDB Aviation, announced today the delivery of the last of seven Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. Brazil’s largest domestic airline.

The aircraft, configured with a 186-seat layout, incorporating both GOL+Conforto and GOL Premium class seats, were delivered from the lessor’s order book with Boeing as part of the lease agreements originally signed with the carrier in 2020.

“Our teams worked side-by-side to execute leases and deliver all these aircraft in very adverse conditions throughout the pandemic. GOL is a great customer that has all our trust,” pointed out Luís da Silva, CDB Aviation’s Head of Commercial, Americas. “The 737 MAX is expected to transform GOL’s fleet, providing significant efficiency gains, while supporting deeper penetration into existing markets and new opportunities for expansion.”

"The delivery of this last aircraft in a package of seven 737 MAX 8s from CDB Aviation marks a milestone in GOL history, our MAX fleet reaching twenty-four aircraft with this delivery. This accelerated fleet transformation plan ensures we can serve our customers better, with more comfort and environmental responsibility,” said Celso Ferrer, GOL’s COO. “The MAX being a key component in the company’s goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, as this aircraft consumes 15% less fuel, produces 16% fewer carbon emissions, and 40% less noise, and has a greater flight range than the next generation aircraft.”

“GOL has been at the forefront of the industry, making investments during the pandemic in the modernization of their fleet and accelerating expansion plans in anticipation of the strong recovery of air travel in the post-pandemic environment,” contended Peter Goodman, CDB Aviation’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Our commercial team remains steadfast in finding ways to support customers’ unique needs, enabling them to remain competitive and tap into growth opportunities.”

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New 737 MAX for TUI

Aviation Capital Group LLC has delivered one new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft on long-term lease to TUI Group. This Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, powered by CFM International’s LEAP-1B engines, is part of a multi-aircraft transaction between ACG and the airline.

TUI Airways 737 MAX | TUI.co.uk

Aviation Capital Group was founded in 1989 and is one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with approximately 400 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of September 30, 2021, which are leased to approximately 90 airlines in approximately 45 countries. ACG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation.

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Akasa Air orders 72 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

Boeing and Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation, announced the new Indian carrier has ordered 72 737 MAX aeroplanes to build its fleet. The deal is valued at nearly $9 billion at list prices, yet the true order value is nearer $4 billion according to sources close to the deal.

Akasa Air will be the most dependable airline in India, offering efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares - all in the Akasa Way. Akasa Air's empathetic and youthful personality, employee-friendly culture, customer-service philosophy, and a tech-led approach will make this commitment a reality for all Indians. The carrier plans to offer commercial flights starting in the summer of 2022.

At the 2021 Dubai Airshow, Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said, "We are delighted to partner with Boeing for our first aeroplane order and thank them for their trust and confidence in Akasa Air's business plan and leadership team. We believe that the new 737 MAX aeroplane will support our aim of running not just a cost-efficient, reliable and affordable airline, but also an environmentally friendly company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies."

Dube added, "India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world with an unparalleled potential. We are already witnessing a strong recovery in air travel, and we see decades of growth ahead of us. Akasa Air's core purpose is to help power India's growth engine and democratize air travel by creating an inclusive environment for all Indians regardless of their socio-economic or cultural backgrounds."

Akasa Air's order includes two variants from the 737 MAX family, the 737-8 and the high-capacity 737-8-200. Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO said: "We are honoured that Akasa Air, an innovative airline focused on customer experience and environmental sustainability, has placed its trust in the 737 family to drive affordable passenger service in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation regions,"

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