Air Lease Corp. has added 32 additional Boeing 737-8 and 737-9 jets to its order log, which has been rising since the end of 2021. Los Angeles-based ALC is a global aircraft leasing business with 118 airline customers in 60 countries, and Boeing noted that the buyer is responding to a recovering business and leisure travel market.
The order for 32 new jets, combined with ALC’s decision to convert some previously ordered Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to 18 new 737 MAX jets, means that ALC will be booked for 130 new 737 MAX jets, in addition to the 37 it already has taken in delivery since 2012.
"The 737 MAX family has already proved its value within ALC's narrow-body portfolio, providing operators with excellent fuel efficiency and flexibility across different networks," stated Boeing senior vice president Ihssane Mounir. "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."
Neither Boeing nor ALC has indicated the value of its new order, but the book value could make it worth up to $27.7 billion.
"Following our memorandum of understanding with Boeing in February for these 32 737 MAX aircraft, we are pleased to announce the signing of this definitive purchase agreement. 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," stated ALC president and CEO John L. Plueger.
The Boeing order follows a December agreement by ALC to purchase 116 Airbus jets, including 59 A321neos, 25 A220-300s, 20 A321XLRs, seven A350Fs and five A330-900s.
