07 Mar 2022

North American Newsletter 7 March

Alaska Airlines recalibrates Boeing 737-9 order Alaska Airlines announced plans to broaden its mainline fleet by adjusting its existing current 737-9 aircraft order with Boeing to include the bigger 737-10 and longer-range 737-8, which are all part of the 737 MAX family of planes. These additional 737 models will enhance Alaska's ability to meet specific market requirements with optimal aircraft size and capability. Senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at Alaska Airlines Nat Pieper said "We're excited to add these new 737 models to our fleet and continue our up gauging strategy, which maximizes our revenue opportunity with more seats while reducing unit costs. This announcement is a further step in our drive toward a single fleet featuring Boeing aircraft and CFM engines – we are very appreciative of their partnerships." ATSG enters commitment with EFW for 29 A330P2F Conversions Air Transport Services Group has committed to a total of 29 Airbus A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversion slots with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), center of excellence for Airbus freighter conversions and a joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus.The commitment of 29 A330P2F reflects a strategic step by ATSG to diversify its existing in-service fleet of 117 aircraft with the addition of next generation wide-body freighters. The A330P2F conversions for ATSG will be performed from mid-2023 through 2027 mainly at EFW’s facility in Dresden, Germany, and at ST Engineering’s conversion sites in China. Multiple conversions will be carried out in parallel. BOC Aviation Purchases 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft For Lease To Lynx Air BOC Aviation announced it has agreed to purchase 11 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from The Boeing Company. The aircraft will be leased to Lynx Air (“Lynx”) on long term leases. They will be powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines and are scheduled for delivery in 2023 and 2024. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation Robert Martin said “We are delighted to welcome Lynx as a new customer and are pleased to support the airline’s plans to serve the Canadian travel market with the most fuel-efficient, technologically advanced aircraft. This transaction demonstrates the innovative financing solutions that we provide for our global customer base and reflects our disciplined investment strategy focused on a portfolio of latest technology aircraft” Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing Sign Memorandum of Understanding for New 777-8 Freighter Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the intent to purchase five 777-8 Freighter. The Memorandum of Understanding to order the 777-8 Freighter will enable Ethiopian Airlines to meet expanding global cargo demand from its hub in Addis Ababa and position the carrier for long-term sustainable growth. Boeing launched the new 777-8 Freighter in January and has  booked 34 firm orders for the model, which features the advanced technology from the new 777X family and proven performance of the market-leading 777 Freighter. With payload capacity nearly identical to the 747-400 Freighter and a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions, and operating costs. WestJet Group to Acquire Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines WestJet and Sunwing announced that they have reached a definitive agreement under which the WestJet Group of companies will acquire Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines. Following the close of the transaction, a new tour operating business unit will be created under the WestJet Group, to include both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Inc., and will be led by Sunwing CEO Stephen Hunter. Sunwing’s current shareholders will become equity holders in the WestJet Group. The WestJet Group of companies will expand to include Sunwing Airlines. This will add increased capacity, dedicating otherwise seasonal aircraft to operate year-round in Canada, instead of Sunwing supplementing seasonal demand with imported aircraft. Acumen Aviation © 7 March 2022  All Rights Reserved.