Boeing once again announced another order for the 737 MAX family, days after closing agreements with Vietnam Airlines and Aviation Capital Group. On Tuesday, lessor SMBC Aviation Capital confirmed an extra order for 25 737-8s.
The Irish company is already a customer of the model and now has a total of 81 737 MAX in its order book.
“We are pleased to conclude this further order with our long-standing partner Boeing and we look forward to working closely with them in the future. This transaction demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with the latest-technology, most fuel-efficient aircraft, as they seek to meet their own sustainability objectives and reduce operating costs,” said Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital.
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“As one of the industry’s leading airplane lessors, SMBC’s decision to increase its 737 MAX backlog with an order for 25 737-8s shows its confidence in the value the airplane brings to its airline customers,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
The 737 MAX 8 variant was the first to enter service, in May 2017, and accounts for the majority of orders so far. The family also includes the 737 MAX 9, which debuted in 2018, and the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10, both still in the certification process.
There is also the 737-8-200 subvariant, with high density, aimed at low-cost airlines. According to Boeing, the 737 MAX 8 can carry 162 to 210 passengers, depending on the cabin configuration – its range is 3,500 nautical miles (almost 6,500 km).
In just one week, Boeing announced three orders totaling 88 new orders for the 737 MAX – in addition to the 25 from SMBC, another 12 planes were ordered from ACG and 50 from state carrier Vietnam Air.
