Industry SMBC Aviation Capital orders 14 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

SMBC Aviation Capital has ordered a total of 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to boost its portfolio.

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As announced by aircraft manufacturer Boeing, company SMBC Aviation Capital has signed a purchase agreement for 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This latest deal underlines the aircraft lessor´s trust in the MAX and in a growing industry after the pandemic.

SMBC seeks a “robust return” to normal air travel, once restrictions from governments have been lifted. The company will also modernize its narrowbody fleet in the same breath, while bolstering its fleet.

Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, commented: "We are pleased to have concluded an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 14 low-cost carrier configured 737 MAX aircraft which is an aircraft we are seeing increased customer demand for following its successful return to service."

Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, added: "SMBC has been actively managing its portfolio in a very dynamic market. With this new order for the fuel-efficient 737-8, the lessor is well positioned to help its customers capture domestic travel demand in several countries and regions [...] We are honored by SMBC's trust in the 737 family, and we look forward to partnering with them to support airlines for the market recovery ahead."

This latest purchase agreement builds SMBC`s aircraft portfolio for the MAX to 121 jets. Also, the company is continuing to incorporate new 737 MAX aircraft into the global fleet. In the first quarter of this year alone, SMBC delivered 13 737-8s. 11 of those were delivered to Southwest Airline, while the other two were delivered to TUI in Europe.

Recently, Boeing was able to confirm new orders for its 737 MAX program. This year, the manufacturer was able to add 250 orders and commitments to its backlog. Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines were last customers for Boeing.

The 737 MAX took hard hits after two fatal crashes, followed by a multiple-year grounding of all aircraft. After re-certification, new problems emerged. But most operators are allowed to use the MAX aircraft in passenger service again.

SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the worlds leading aircraft lessors. The company has 85 airline customers in 36 countries across the globe. It manages nearly 500 aircraft and was established in 2001, before being acquired by a Japanese consortium in 2012.

Source © boeing.mediaroom.com

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