Boeing and the
Lufthansa Group have announced a 737 MAX order for up to 100 jets. This will see Europe’s largest airline group ‘restore’ the Boeing 737 family into its fleet, with a commitment that includes a firm order for 40 737-8 aeroplanes with 60 options.
Carsten Spohr, Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s chairman and CEO,said: “It is a good strategic decision for the Lufthansa Group to order Boeing 737 aircraft again for the first time since 1995. Around 60 years ago, Lufthansa was co-developer and launch customer of this globally successful model. With the new modern, quiet, economical, and efficient 737-8 aeroplane, we are making progress both in modernising our short- and medium-haul fleet and in achieving our carbon CO
2 reduction targets; the 737 MAX reduces CO2 emissions by 20% and has a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to older-generation models.”
Lufthansa launched the Boeing 737 in 1967, taking delivery of the first of 146 737s until its final delivery of a 737-300 in 1995. The airline retired its last 737 in 2016 as it started its group-wide fleet modernisation programme. The Lufthansa Group has placed a series of wide-body orders in recent years to accelerate replacement of older aeroplanes, and its current backlog includes firm orders for 34 787 Dreamliners, seven 777-8 Freighters, and 20 777-9 types.
Meanwhile, Boeing and the Ireland-based lessor Avolon have announced the latter’s intention to purchase 40 more 737-8 aeroplanes to expand its 737 MAX portfolio (this comprises 737-8 and 737-10 variants) to more than 110 jets. Avolon also ordered 40 737-8s in June. Avolon has been a long-standing supporter of the 737 MAX platform, earlier this year taking delivery of the 1,000th 737 MAX, and the first ever 737 MAX in 2017.