Upscaling has been taking place for some time but in all this the 737-800 has remained the gold standard. Now though the future belongs to the A321Neo and the 737-9Max as airlines across the globe look to aircraft that can give longer range and payload capabilities, thus more options.
In all this the 737-900ER has remained a slow burner. The aircraft that should have been a hot seller as a 757 replacement has in reality, although highly successful, not been as in demand as one would have assumed it should be. But now in 2014 people are starting to realise the 737-900ER demand that exists, demand that is perhaps backed by Ryanair’s 737Max 200 order last week and by the continued use of the type by Continental, Delta and Alaska Airlines.
So it is of great interest to see US investors taking a position in the 737-900ER for the first time in a deal closing today for Lion Air MSN39880 (line number 5081). The US investors are Archway/MRH Funds and the deal was led/brokered by Amentum Capital. This is a significant deal for Amentum Capital and all credit goes to Jan Melgaard and his team. This deal may well give them further exposure to Lion Air’s Transportation Partners, which is in the market right now looking for similar minded new capital. With a great many 737-900ERs in fleet and leading positions on Neo and Max aircraft Transportation Partners is, dare I say it, a world of opportunity for many and should really be very close to the top of everyone’s get to know list.