Airline leasing group BOC Aviation has placed a contract for 40 more Boeing 737-8 jets, extending its total booking for that single-aisle aircraft series to 80 aircraft. The value of the new order was not announced by Boeing or BOC Aviation, but could be worth nearly $4.7 billion at the list price.
BOC Aviation is the largest jet-leasing business in Asia, and lists 621 aircraft in its portfolio and 81 commercial airline customers worldwide.
The new order is another sign of Boeing’s recovery following the collapse of commercial aircraft demand during 2020, and the difficulty of reestablishing the 737 MAX after the controversy of two fatal accidents in 2018 and 2019.
Boeing reported it has booked over 1,500 gross orders for 737 MAX family since late 2020.
According to Boeing, BOC is continuing a program of updating its aircraft holdings with new, fuel-efficient jets. The OEM emphasizes that the 737 MAX offers fuel efficiency, reliability, and flexibility for the narrow-body aircraft market, with a range of 3,500 nautical miles that will allow profitability with more direct routes.
"We are pleased to continue to build on our existing relationship with Boeing, with this 40-aircraft incremental order for the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The incremental order takes our total 737 MAX 8 orderbook with Boeing to 80 aircraft," stated BOC deputy managing director and COO David Walton. "We look forward to continuing to provide one of the industry's most technologically advanced aircraft for delivery on lease to our airline customers, and to support their sustainable growth over the balance of this decade."
