Summary
- WestJet purchased nine used Boeing 737 MAX 8s this summer, previously operated by Lynx Air.
- The airline aims to expand its fleet despite Boeing delivery delays through used plane acquisitions.
- WestJet strikes used plane deals to grow capacity amid delays, with 20 MAX 8 and 46 MAX-10s on order.
Canadian low-cost airline
WestJet
has today signed an agreement for an additional three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, adding to a previous order for six that was announced by the carrier earlier this summer.
This latest move is for the outright purchase of the planes, rather than a leasing agreement. It also follows a list of similar agreements this summer with a variety of lessors, as WestJet shifts strategy towards the purchase of used planes. All of them previously operated for Lynx Air, ch-aviation data shows.
Photo: Welshboy2020 | Shutterstock
A total of nine used aircraft bought this summer
Since June, WestJet has announced a total of nine agreements for the Boeing 737 MAX. All of these were aircraft purchases from lessors, including the likes of BOC Aviation, AerDragon and High Ridge Aviation. The details are listed below according to ch-aviation data.
Lessor |
Number of 737 MAX 8s |
Registration(s) |
Date of agreement |
---|---|---|---|
SMBC Aviation Capital |
3 |
C-GUUL C-GULN C-FULH |
September 6, 2024 |
BOC Aviation |
3 |
C-GFVE C-GFJQ C-GFJO |
June 3, 2024 |
AerDragon Aviation Partners |
1 |
C-FULH |
June 6, 2024 |
High Ridge Aviation |
1 |
C-GFJM |
June 18, 2024 |
Aviation Capital Group |
1 |
C-GFVX |
June 18, 2024 |
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President at WestJet, Mike Scott, said:
“With our longstanding partner SMBC, we are thrilled to be adding three more Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to our growing fleet as we execute upon our mission of providing affordable air travel options to our guests.”
Barry Flannery, Chief Commercial Officer at SMBC Aviation Capital said:
“SMBC Aviation Capital is pleased to continue its partnership with WestJet, supporting their fleet expansion with these fuel-efficient, new technology aircraft. These Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft will allow WestJet to further grow their network and continue to serve their guests with affordable air travel options. We look forward to many more years of successful partnership with WestJet.”
Former Lynx Air planes
All of these planes previously operated with Lynx Air, a Canadian low-cost airline that went bankrupt in February citing high costs and heavy competition. On social media, CEO at WestJet, Alexis Von Hoensbroech said:
“Successfully secured three more used Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft SMBC Aviation Capital! With this we have taken on all nine aircraft that were flying for a Canadian airline that exited the market earlier this year. All these airplanes will enter into service over the next few months. Reconfiguration is under way, and we expect to convert these nine aircraft to the standard WestJet layout within the next year or so. Looking forward to greeting even more guests on board of our growing fleet.”
These latest deals to try and ensure fleet growth through used planes comes as WestJet grapples with delivery delays with some of its plane orders. In today’s agreement, the carrier noted that “these additional aircraft and subsequent capacity expansion” would help mitigate “delays for direct-from-factory aircraft.” In May, von Hoensbroech had said that challenges at Boeing were “slowing” WestJet down.
“We were supposed to receive eight aircraft this year. Right now we are down to four (expected) and my best guess is we’ll get probably two.”
Ch-aviation data shows the airline has 20 737 MAX 8 aircraft on order as well as 46 of the larger -10 variant.