Possibly in a bid to detract the papers away from the news we broke yesterday (Aviation News Daily Breaking News) about the grounding of the Max test fleet, Boeing and Airbus have both announced orders today.
Primera Air has ordered eight 737 MAX 9s, four additional purchase rights and a lease agreement for eight more aircraft from Air Lease Corporation.
Primera Air is the latest start-up seeking to launch long-haul, low-cost services between Europe and the East coast of the US, and intends the 737 MAX 9 to form the backbone of its fleet. Primera Air plans to use the MAX 9's auxiliary fuel tanks to lower trip costs and maximize the range to accommodate flights connecting Europe to the east coast of the U.S, says the Boeing release.
"The 737 MAX 9 will allow Primera Air to open up nonstop, long-haul routes from Europe to the U.S. with unmatched economics," said Andri M. Ingolfsson, President, Primera Air. "This aircraft has a lower per-seat cost than the current wide body aircraft servicing the transatlantic and the capabilities of this aircraft type will change the economics of the industry. This will open up fantastic possibilities for growth for Primera Air in the future."
Primera Air is an all-Boeing carrier currently operating a fleet of nine Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s with flights to more than 70 airports in Europe. Primera Air is part of the Primera Travel Group that operates travel agencies and tour operating companies in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Estonia.
Also today, Delta Air Lines placed an incremental order for 30 firm A321ceo aircraft. This order follows three previous Delta orders for aircraft type. The airline took delivery of its first A321 in March of last year. Delta now has ordered a total of 112 A321s, each powered by CFM56 engines from CFM International.
"The A321’s comfort, performance and economics make it a very compelling aircraft for Delta in our domestic route network," said Gil West, Delta's Sr. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We value our longstanding partnership with Airbus and look forward to taking more new A321 aircraft for the benefit of our customers, employees and shareowners."
Meanwhile, SMBC Aviation Capital is celebrating its upgrade by Fitch to A- (see news below).