Boeing boosts order book as Air Lease signs deal for 32 737 MAX planes

Boeing has boosted its order book as American aircraft lease company Air Lease (ALC) adds 32 737 MAX planes to its aircraft portfolio. 

In an official statement dated April 4, 2022, Boeing and ALC confirmed the signing of a definitive purchase agreement for 32 737-8 and 737-9 jets. The agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties, which had been signed in February 2022.  

As the travel market continues to recover from the global pandemic, ALC hopes that the additional 737 MAX aircraft will help the company to meet airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient and sustainable operations. 

"We believe that the economic and operating advantages of the 737 MAX will serve our airline customers well as they favor modern, fuel-efficient aircraft," ALC CEO John L. Plueger was quoted as saying in the statement.  

ALC believes that due to the versatility and technical specifications of the 737 MAX family jets, which allow airlines to offer new and more direct routes for passengers, the planes are expected to remain highly popular among carriers around the world.  

The 737 MAX family enables airlines to optimize their fleets across a broad range of missions while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 20%, Boeing added.  

"The 737 MAX family has already proved its value within ALC's narrowbody portfolio. [...] 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,” Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing Ihssane Mounir added. 

ALC continues to grow its investment in the 737 MAX family. In February 2022, the aircraft leasing company added 18 737 MAXs to its portfolio. With the new order, the lessor now has 130 737 MAXs in its backlog.