Air India Express, the budget airline subsidiary of India’s flagship carrier, has entered into definitive engine sale/leaseback agreements with Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC), a prominent player in the aviation engine leasing market based in the US. This agreement pertains to 26 CFM56-7B engines installed on 13 of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Boeing, the aerospace giant, is taking steps to withdraw from a previous agreement to plead guilty in a high-profile criminal case. This case charged Boeing with deceiving aviation regulators about the safety features of its B737 MAXaircraft, which was linked to two deadly crashes that tragically claimed 346 lives.
SolitAir, based in the UAE, has recently expanded its cargo fleet capabilities by taking delivery of a Boeing 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter). This aircraft, bearing serial number 33023, has been acquired on a wet lease from ASL Aviation Holdings, a prominent Ireland-based aviation services company.
Rimbun Airlines, based in Indonesia, is strategically planning to enhance its fleet by incorporating B737 Classics rather than the newer B737 Next Generation (NG) freighters. This decision stems from current challenges associated with securing necessary engines and parts for the B737NG models.
China Southern Airlines, one of the leading carriers in Asia, has recently expanded its fleet with the addition of two new aircraft. The airline took delivery of an Airbus A321neo, serial number 12438, equipped with LEAP-1A32 engines, and a Boeing 777 Freighter (B777F), serial number 67824, powered by GE90-110B1 engines.
Aviation Capital Group (ACG), a prominent US-based aircraft leasing company, has announced the delivery of a Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Air India Express. This aircraft, featuring advanced LEAP-1B engines, represents the final delivery scheduled under a multiple-aircraft sale-leaseback (SLB) transaction agreed upon between ACG and Air India Express.
ETF Airways, based in Croatia, has initiated a wet lease arrangement with Sky Alps of Italy, involving a Boeing B737-800 aircraft, serial number 30667. This aircraft will operate on the route between Verona and Dusseldorf, enhancing Sky Alps’ capacity on this international route.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), based in the UAE, has successfully delivered the sixth and final Boeing B737 MAX family aircraft to Aeromexico. This delivery marks the completion of DAE’s current mandate with the airline, which included three B737-8 and three B737-9 aircraft.
Korean Air is nearing the finalization of a major $32.7 billion agreement that will significantly expand and modernize its long-haul fleet. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) includes the acquisition of 20 Boeing B777-9 and 20 Boeing B787-10 aircraft, with options for 10 additional aircraft and up to ten spare engines.
Aeroitalia has confirmed plans to expand its fleet with the addition of two more B737-800 aircraft scheduled for delivery by May 2025. The move is aimed at strengthening the Italian carrier’s operational capacity ahead of the critical summer travel season.
