Boeing and SMBC Aviation Capital have announced an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, comprising 60 Boeing 737-10s and 40 Boeing 737-8s, further strengthening the lessor’s narrowbody portfolio.
The agreement marks SMBC Aviation Capital’s first order for the Boeing 737-10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family. With the latest purchase, the lessor’s owned, managed and committed Boeing 737 MAX portfolio will expand to 450 aircraft.
Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, said the order represents a significant milestone for the company and will provide airline customers with long-term access to next-generation aircraft.
He noted that the company’s partnership with Boeing spans more than two decades and said growing demand from airlines and investors for larger, more fuel-efficient aircraft influenced the decision to add the 737-10 to its fleet. The order is expected to support airline growth strategies well into the next decade.
The Boeing 737-10 offers seating for up to 230 passengers and a range of approximately 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 kilometres), while delivering the lowest per-seat operating costs in the single-aisle market. The addition of the aircraft will allow SMBC Aviation Capital to diversify its asset portfolio and meet increasing demand for higher-capacity narrowbody jets.
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, welcomed the order, saying it reflects continued confidence in the Boeing 737 MAX family and growing demand for aircraft that combine efficiency, reliability and operational flexibility.
With global passenger traffic expected to grow by around 4% annually over the next two decades, aircraft lessors are continuing to expand their single-aisle portfolios to meet airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Boeing noted that leasing companies have now ordered more than 1,450 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, representing around 20% of the programme’s total backlog.
