Boeing Takes Billions in Orders for 737 MAX 8 Aircraft
Jackie Reddy January 05, 2017
Blurb: The manufacturer’s customers include the Czech Republic’s Travel Service as well as General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has confirmed that, as of this week, it has taken orders for 80 737 MAX 8 craft. In the wider sense, the orders for these narrow-bodied craft, valued at $8.8 billion according to list prices, have helped Boeing to inch towards its 2016 sales target.
Reuters reports that the world’s biggest plane manufacturer made 536 net liner sales in 2016. The company says that its target is to sell as many craft as it delivers, a figure that it estimates as being between 745 and 750. Boeing confirmed that, as of November 2016, it had delivered 681 planes.
However, it is possible that these figures could increase after the manufacturer posts its final update for 2016 on Friday.
The bulk of the orders that have been placed are for Boeing’s 737 single-aisle planes as opposed to its larger and more expensive wide-bodied craft.
Among those who have placed orders, Boeing counts Czech charter airline Travel Service, the country’s largest carrier, as one of its customers. The company’s order with Boeing amounts to $550 million.
General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a General Electric (GE) subsidiary and the largest commercial aircraft financing and leasing company in the world, has also placed an order of 75 737 MAX 8 planes. This order has been valued at $8.25 billion at list price.
This follows on from an earlier order placed by GECAS and means that the GE subsidiary is now expecting 170 737 MAX 8 planes from Boeing.
Commenting on the order, Brad McMullen, vice president, North America and Leasing Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stated, “When it comes to demand, this order shows the MAX 8 remains at the heart of the single-aisle market. We appreciate the confidence GECAS has in the 737 MAX, and look forward to seeing the airplanes placed with carriers all over the world.”
At present, Boeing has taken more than 3,400 orders for the 737 MAX and delivery of the first craft is expected in 2017.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
