Boeing announced that it is on the verge of closing an order for 40 additional 737 MAX aircraft with the Irish lessor Avolon. This new order will increase the lessor’s order portfolio, consisting of the 737-8 and 737-10 variants, to over 110 aircraft.
The US manufacturer confirmed that Avolon intends to place the order but for it to materialize approval from the shareholders of Bohai Leasing, the main shareholder of the Irish lessor, is still pending.
Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, stated «Today’s order reflects our ongoing optimism about the aviation sector’s prospects and strengthens our ability to meet customer needs in delivery time slots until 2030, when aircraft availability is very limited.»
«We have committed to acquiring 80 new 737 MAX aircraft this year, thus supporting the transformation of our fleet into low-emission aircraft. Avolon has been a long-time supporter of the 737 MAX platform, delivering the 1000th 737 MAX produced earlier this year and the first 737 MAX in history in 2017. It is a pleasure to partner again with Boeing on this new order.», added Cronin.
Meanwhile, Brad McMullen, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Boeing, expressed «Anticipating that the demand for long-term travel will remain strong, we are prepared to support lessors looking to expand their portfolios with fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft capable of operating on various route networks.»
«Avolon remains an important and highly valued customer for the 737 program. This repeated order in the same year demonstrates their confidence in the 737-8 and the value the aircraft brings to their customers.», McMullen added.
Avolon recently increased its order book for Airbus A321neo aircraft, of which it ordered an additional 100 aircraft. The total number of A321neo aircraft ordered by the company now stands at 190, and the overall total of orders placed with Airbus stands at 632 aircraft.
The lessor has a global fleet of 897 aircraft:
| Family | Fleet |
|---|---|
| A320ceo | 201 |
| A320neo | 293 |
| A330ceo | 46 |
| A330neo | 73 |
| A350 | 22 |
| 737 NG | 120 |
| 737 MAX | 99 |
| 787 Dreamliner | 30 |
| 777-300ER | 3 |
| E195 E2 | 10 |
