Air India to sit on Boeing options until backlog clears

The CEO of Air India (AI, Delhi International) says the carrier will delay exercising its Boeing options until the manufacturer clears its backlog. Campbell Wilson told Reuters he wants delivery certainty.

"We don't want to commit to anything until we have confidence of when it's going to come," he said. "And likewise, they don't want to offer something until they have confidence of when it's going to come."

As of January 31, 2025, Air India's orderbook at Boeing stood at 153 B737 MAX, ten B777-9s, and twenty B787-9s. Included in the contracts are options for another fifty MAX and twenty B787-9s. Boeing has 619 B787-9s, 481 B777X, and 4,759 B737 MAX on backorder. However, the US Federal Aviation Administration is still to certify the B777X and has slowed MAX production to 38 aircraft per month.

"We expect to get [our aircraft], but do we expect to get them according to timeline? No, we don't," said Wilson. "And I think that every airline would tell you the same thing,"

Air India is in the process of a fleet renewal as part of a broader transformation underway under Wilson's watch. It also placed an order with Airbus in early 2023 for 140 A320-200Ns, seventy A321-200Ns, thirty-four A350-1000s, and six A350-900s. It backed that up with another order late last year for ninety A320neo family types and ten A350s. Airbus is also experiencing problems getting its aircraft off the assembly line and to customers on schedule.

Wilson said that apart from a slower-than-planned aircraft delivery pace, supply chain issues are decelerating the refurbishment of existing aircraft and impacting the transformation strategy.

"We've had delays from pretty much every supplier for every one of our seat upgrade programmes, some as short as six to nine months, others as long as 18 months," he said. "That just pushes out the whole product transformation longer than we had hoped."

While refurbishments of the existing B787 fleet are reportedly progressing reasonably well, the B777 refurbishments are experiencing delays because of problems procuring the seats. Recently, Air India said it was suspending its Mumbai International-Melbourne Airport and Kochi International-London Gatwick routes because of B777 shortages.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, five of Air India's nineteen B777-300ERs are out of service while all eight B777-200LRs are in the air. The fleet also includes ten A319-100s, seven A320-200s, ninety-five A320-200Ns, thirteen A321-200s, thirteen A321-200NX, one A321-200NX(LR), six A350-900s, twenty-seven B787-8s and seven B787-9s.

CH Aviation

FLEET - ASKY (Togo) plans to expand its fleet to 20-22 aircraft by 2027.

 Adding at least two new aircraft annually over the next few years, including more B737 MAX and with the introduction of the B787.

Canada's Lynx Air to suspend flight operations

 

Lynx Air (Y9, Calgary) has announced it will cease flight operations as of 0001L (0701Z) on Monday, February 26, 2024, due to “compounding financial pressures associated with inflation, fuel costs, exchange rates, cost of capital, regulatory costs, and competitive tension in the Canadian market,” the airline said in a statement.

Additionally, it obtained an initial order for creditor protection from the Court of King's Bench of Alberta under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). FTI Consulting Canada Inc. was appointed to monitor Lynx Air Holding Corporation's bankruptcy process.

In its motion materials, Lynx Air reported it is currently insolvent and has insufficient cash reserves to allow it to continue to fund its current ongoing operations.

The company was founded in 2021 after being rebranded from Enerjet (Calgary). It was backed by Indigo Partners, which provided debt financing of CAD113.6 million Canadian dollars (USD84.2 million) in three separate instalments. The compounding factors were too steep a mountain for the organisation to overcome, Lynx said in a statement available on its website. As of December 31, 2023, Lynx Air's debt to trade creditors was CAD46.7 million (USD34.7 million), and indebtedness to Indigo in the amount of CAD100.2 million (USD74.3 million) in principal and CAD24.08 million in interest (USD17.8 million).

Earlier this month, Canadian media outlets reported that Flair Airlines (F8, Kelowna) and Lynx Air were eyeing the possibility of a merger, with conversations said to be in advanced stages. Lynx Air served 18 destinations, including 11 in Canada, six in the United States, and one in Mexico.

The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the Lynx Air fleet comprises nine B737-8s. The company also has orders for 29 additional units, including eight B737-8s and twenty-one B737-8-200s. It leased all of its active aircraft from five companies: AerDragon Aviation Partners, Aergo Capital, BOC Aviation, High Ridge Aviation, and SMBC Aviation Capital.

The Canadian market has recently been in a consolidation process following WestJet's acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and the discontinuing of its own LCC brand, Swoop.

CH Aviation

Photo: Duncan Stewart

LOT Polish Airlines S18 737 MAX 8 operations as of 22JAN18

LOT Polish Airlines last week gradually updated planned Boeing 737 MAX 8 operations for summer 2018 season, effective from 25MAR18. Planned 737 MAX 8 operational network as of 22JAN18 as follows.
Gdansk – Tel Aviv eff 04AUG18 1 weekly
Lublin – Tel Aviv eff 28SEP18 1 weekly (Also scheduled on 01AUG18)
Poznan – Tel Aviv eff 31JUL18 1 weekly
Rzeszow – Tel Aviv 01JUL18 – 30JUL18 1 weekly
Warsaw – Astana eff 30JUN18 1 weekly
Warsaw – Barcelona 05JUL18 – 27OCT18 2 weekly (4 weekly from 03AUG18, 6 from 30SEP18)
Warsaw – Brussels eff 26SEP18 1 weekly
Warsaw – Frankfurt eff 03JUL18 up to 7 weekly
Warsaw – Kiev Borispil eff 07JUL18 1 weekly (2 weekly in Aug/Sep)
Warsaw – Kiev Zhulyany 01AUG18 – 21SEP18 2 weekly
Warsaw – Larnaca One-time 737 MAX 8 service on 27JUL18 from WAW
Warsaw – London Heathrow 20 weekly
Warsaw – Madrid 7 weekly
Warsaw – Moscow Sheremetyevo 04JUL18 – 25SEP18 1 weekly
Warsaw – Paris CDG eff 01AUG18 up to 8 weekly
Warsaw – Rzeszow 04JUL18 – 25SEP18 1 weekly
Warsaw – Tbilisi eff 03JUL18 2 weekly (3 weekly 26AUG18 – 30SEP18, 1 from 07OCT18; Also scheduled from WAW on 02JUL18)
Warsaw – Tel Aviv Multiple weekly frequencies
Warsaw – Vienna 05JUL18 – 29SEP18 2 weekly
Warsaw – Yerevan eff 26SEP18 1 weekly (737 MAX 8 also scheduled from WAW on 23JUN18 / 30JUN18)
Wroclaw – Tel Aviv eff 02JUL18 1 weekly
By Jim Liu

FIRST B737MAX8 for LION AIR (PK-LQJ)

GM Fikri Izzudin Noor

Banjarmasin Syamsudin Noor (BDJ / WAOO), Indonesia, 2017

Boeing, Avolon Finalize Deal for 75 737 MAX Airplanes

Agreement includes firm orders for 55 MAX 8s, 20 MAX 10s and options for 20 MAX 8s

Dublin-based lessor joins growing customer base of the 737 MAX 10, the newest member of Boeing's 737 MAX family

• 
  

SEATTLE, Nov. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, today finalized an order for 75 737 MAX airplanes. The confirmed order is for 55 MAX 8s and 20 MAX 10s, with options for 20 additional MAX 8s.
The agreement, announced as a memorandum of understanding at the 2017 Paris Air Show, is valued at nearly $11 billion at list prices including the 75 firm and 20 option aircraft.

Launched at the 2017 Paris Air Show, the MAX 10 will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane. The new airplanes will bolster Avolon's airplane portfolio to meet growing customer demand in the narrow-body market segment.

"Today's order for Boeing's newest 737 MAX airplanes will strengthen Avolon's position as a leading lessor in the global commercial aviation market," said Avolon CEO, Dómhnal Slattery. "This is the largest single order that we have placed with Boeing to date and underscores the scale of our ambition and the strength of our business. We have experienced strong interest in our initial MAX orders and this incremental order reflects this demand. With over 140 MAX aircraft now in our owned and committed fleet, we are confident that the superior economics and solid reliability of the 737 MAX family of airplanes will continue to allow our customers to grow their businesses profitably for many years to come."

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Avolon is one of the world's leading aircraft leasing firms, with an owned, managed and committed fleet of 915 aircraft as of September 30, 2017. Avolon also has the youngest owned fleet amongst the top three lessors and an order book of exclusively new technology aircraft.

"Today's order solidifies Avolon's commitment to providing their customers with the most efficient, technologically advanced airplane on the market," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister. "We are honored that the 737 MAX family of airplanes will become a key part of Avolon's world-class fleet as they look to leverage the surging demand for narrow-body airplanes in markets around the world."



The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, having surpassed 4,000 total orders from 92 customers. The MAX family incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Turkish Airlines files 737 MAX 8 network in W18

Turkish Airlines last week gradually extended schedule listing into winter 2018/19 season, effective 28OCT18. This includes preliminary filing of Boeing 737 MAX 8 operational routes, although launch date is likely to move forward to summer season.

Configuration of the 737 MAX 8, is J16Y135. The airline’s internal configuration identification is 78D.
Preliminary 737 MAX 8 routes as follows.
Istanbul Ataturk – Algiers 1 daily TK653/654

Istanbul Ataturk – Cologne 1 daily TK1677/1678

Istanbul Ataturk – Djibouti – Mogadishu 1 daily

Istanbul Ataturk – Dublin 6 weekly TK1977/1978

Istanbul Ataturk – Esfahan 1 daily

Istanbul Ataturk – Lisbon 1 daily TK1755/1756

Istanbul Ataturk – Nairobi 1 daily

Istanbul Ataturk – Skopje 1 daily TK1005/1006

Istanbul Ataturk – Sofia 1 weekly TK1027/1028 (Day 7)

Istanbul Ataturk – Vienna 1 daily TK1889/1890

Istanbul Ataturk – Yanbu 1 daily

Planned launch date, operational routes/flights and frequencies for the 737 MAX 8 remains subject to change.

By Jim Liu - Routes Online

first LOT Polish Airlines B737MAX

LOT

Icelandair 737 MAX 8 routes in 2018 as of 10NOV17

Icelandair in recent weeks gradually extended its schedule listing into winter 2018/19 season, currently listed until mid-Dec 2018 in OAG Schedules Analyser. The extended listing also sees Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft operating on additional routes. As of 10NOV17, planned Boeing 737 MAX 8 service in 2018 as follow.

Reykjavik Keflavik – Amsterdam 04JUN18 – 10SEP18 2 weekly (Previous plan eff 24MAY18)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Bergen eff 01MAY18 3 weekly (4 weekly from 10MAY18, 6 weekly from 19MAY18. Seasonal service)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Birmingham eff 02MAY18 2 weekly (3 weekly from 18OCT18)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Dublin eff 16OCT18 3 weekly (4 weekly from 29OCT18)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Hamburg eff 03MAY18 1 weekly (3 weekly from 19OCT18, 2 weekly from 08NOV18)

Reykjavik Keflavik – London Gatwick eff 23SEP18 1 weekly

Reykjavik Keflavik – London Heathrow eff 02OCT18 2 weekly (selected weeks in Oct is 1 weekly)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Minneapolis/St. Paul eff 31OCT18 4 weekly

Reykjavik Keflavik – Oslo eff 23SEP18 1 weekly (Also 13MAY18 and 03JUN18)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Paris Orly eff 01MAY18 6 weekly (4 weekly from 26OCT18)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Stockholm Arlanda 01JUN18 – 24AUG18 1 weeklyPreviously reported changes:

Reykjavik Keflavik – Berlin Tegel eff 19MAR18 5 weekly (except selected weeks)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Billund eff 07MAY18 1 weekly
Reykjavik Keflavik – Cleveland eff 16MAY18 5 weekly (4 weekly from 31OCT18)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Halifax eff 02JUN18 4 weekly (2 weekly 02JUN18 – 09JUN18, 24SEP18 – 29OCT18; Seasonal service)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Montreal eff 24MAY18 3-5 weekly (5 weekly from 06JUN18; Seasonal service)

Reykjavik Keflavik – Philadelphia 22MAY18 – 20SEP18 4 weekly (This is a seasonal service)

The airline has cancelled service to Stavanger and Trondheim, previously scheduled as 737 MAX 8 routes.

Routes Online

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - B737-MAX 8 - N8708Q

hsckcwong - LAX

Boeing Celebrates Rollout of First 737 MAX 9

Airplane scheduled to fly in the coming weeks, deliver to customers in 2018

RENTON, Wash., March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) marked a milestone today as the first 737 MAX 9 made its debut in front of thousands of Boeing employees. 

The 737 MAX 9 is the second member of Boeing's industry leading 737 MAX family, with a maximum capacity of 220 passengers and a range of 3,515 nautical miles.

The airplane now begins system checks, fueling and engine runs on the flight line. Once completed, the airplane will begin flight testing in the coming weeks – the final phase of verification of the operational characteristics and overall performance of a new airplane.

"The 737 MAX team continues to do a fantastic job getting us to these important milestones right on schedule," said Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager of the 737 MAX program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our primary focus is delivering an aircraft that has the legendary reliability our 737 customers depend on, plus the optimized flexibility and range capability they desire."

The 737 MAX 9 is scheduled to enter service in 2018. The 737 MAX 8 is on track to deliver to customers in the second quarter of 2017.

The 737 MAX family has been designed to offer customers exceptional performance, flexibility and efficiency, with lower per-seat costs and an extended range that will open up new destinations in the single-aisle market. The MAX 8 and 9 will be followed in 2019 by the smaller MAX 7 and higher capacity MAX 200, while studies and discussions continue with customers on growing the family.

The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 3,600 orders to date from 83 customers worldwide.

3rd Boeing 737 MAX Takes First Flight

Another air to air with the third MAX. Photo by John D. Parker

The third Boeing 737 MAX airplane took its first flight from Renton Field on April 14.

The 737 MAX will soon be going international for flight testing, Randy's Journal reported.

Looking ahead, the #2 airplane will soon head down to La Paz, Bolivia for high altitude testing, which will mark the first international trip for the MAX test fleet.
And the airplane #4 will soon emerge from our factory configured in a full passenger interior, before heading across the globe to complete other testing.
Boeing looks forward to continue putting the MAX through its paces here at home - and all over the world.

Boeing, Ethiopian Airlines Announce Order for 20 737 MAX 8s

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Ethiopian Airlines today announced an order for 20 737 MAX 8s. The order, previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website, is worth more than $2.1 billion at list prices and also includes options and purchase rights for a further 15 737 MAX 8s. The order represents the largest single Boeing order by number of airplanes from an African carrier.

Boeing, SpiceJet Announce Order for 42 737 MAX 8s

737 MAX supports airline's low-cost, high-performance philosophy
Momentum for 737 MAX continues with over 1,800 orders

HYDERABAD, India, March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and SpiceJet announced today at India Aviation 2014 an order for 42 737 MAX 8s. The order, previously listed as unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website, is valued at $4.4 billion at list prices.

"SpiceJet greatly values the ties we have built over the years with Boeing. The Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, the mainstay of the fleet ever since SpiceJet started operations, have vindicated our choice by their endurance, reliability and cost effectiveness," said S.L. Narayanan, Group CFO for The Sun Group. "The induction of Boeing 737 MAX will further modernize our fleet, improve customer experience, and ensure that we operate the most efficient fleet well into the future."

The 737 MAX brings the most advanced engine technologies to the world's best-selling airplane, building on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

"The order is a tremendous endorsement of the 737 MAX's unsurpassed fuel efficiency," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The capabilities of the 737 MAX supports SpiceJet's mission to become India's preferred low-cost airline. We are very proud to be partners with SpiceJet and a part of the airline's continued success with the addition of the 737 MAX."

Development of the 737 MAX is on schedule with firm configuration of the airplane achieved in July 2013. First flight is scheduled in 2016 with deliveries to customers beginning in 2017. Already a market success, the 737 MAX has accumulated more than 1,800 orders to date and will have 8 percent lower per-seat operating costs than the future competition.

With today's announcement, SpiceJet has ordered 90 airplanes directly from Boeing, which includes the 737-800, 737-900ER and now the 737 MAX. To date, SpiceJet has taken delivery of 31 of the airplanes.

Boeing, Icelandair Announce Commitment for 12 737MAXs

Icelandic carrier to purchase both 737 MAX 8s and 9s
REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Icelandair announced a commitment today for 12 737 MAXs, valued at more than $1.2 billion at list prices. The commitment by the Icelandic carrier includes 737 MAX 8s and 9s. Boeing looks forward to working with Icelandair to finalize the details, at which time the order will be posted as a firm order to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.
"This commitment is the result of our research into what aircraft manufacturers have on offer to help us strengthen and grow our fleet and our network towards the future," said Bjorgolfur Johannsson, Icelandair Group president and CEO. "We have had a successful relationship with Boeing for decades and we are pleased to continue our cooperation for years to come."
The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 percent fuel-use improvement over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes.
"Over the past decades, Icelandair has successfully utilized its all-Boeing 757 fleet to establish its Reykjavik-based hub as an important gateway between Europe and North America," said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The introduction of the 737 MAX to Icelandair's operation will complement its existing 757 fleet and ensure the carrier's continued expansion across both continents, offering significant fuel saving with unrivaled passenger comfort."
The 737 MAX also features the new Boeing Sky Interior. The sleek interior boasts modern lines, a spacious cabin with more headroom and LED lighting that offers vibrant color options.
Icelandair Group currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 23 757 airplanes for both its passenger and cargo operations. The Icelandic carrier has used the geographical location of its Reykjavik-based hub mid-way between North America and Europe, as an opportunity to build an ever-growing network of more than 25 international destinations.

Boeing, GOL Announce order for 60 737 MAX Airplanes

PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes announced today GOL's purchase of 60 737 MAX airplanes. GOL plans to use the new super-efficient 737 MAX to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.

The order is valued at approximately $6 billion at published list prices, making it the largest order in GOL's 12-year history and the largest airplane order from a single airline in South America's aviation history.

"The decision to order Boeing 737 MAX is in line with our commitment to maintain a modern and safe fleet that will allow us to sustain our competitive advantage in the long term," said Paulo Kakinoff, CEO of GOL. "The new airplanes will have one of the best cost-benefit ratios in the market due to its unique operational economy, so it is fully compatible with our low-cost model."

The 737 MAX builds on the strengths of Boeing's best-selling Next-Generation 737 with big advances in fuel-efficiency and environmental performance. Equipped with new LEAP-1B engines from CFM International and improvements such as the Advanced Technology winglet, the 737 MAX reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 13 percent and maintains the 8 percent operating cost advantage over future competition. This order puts the 737 MAX at 724 firm orders to date.

"Boeing has partnered with GOL since their inception just over 12 years ago. We've watched them grow from a small start-up airline to a driving force in global aviation and we are proud to partner with them as the South American launch customer for the 737 MAX," said Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The unmatched operating economics of the 737 MAX make it the absolute best airplane for the world's low-cost carriers and legacy carriers alike. GOL's commitment to the MAX proves this once again."

In just more than 11 years, GOL has established itself as one of the fastest growing low-cost, low-fare airlines in the world. GOL currently offers the most extensive and convenient routes in South America with approximately 810 daily flights to 63 destinations in Brazil and 12 in South America and the Caribbean. Combined with six code-share partnerships and more than 60 interline agreements with foreign companies, GOL's route network is among the best serving customers traveling to, from and within .