On May 25, 2021, Boeing announced that the aircraft leasing company SMBC ordered an additional 14 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, expanding its 737 MAX fleet to 121 aircraft.
“We are pleased to have concluded an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 14 low-cost carrier configured 737 MAX aircraft which is an aircraft we are seeing increased customer demand for following its successful return to service,” said Peter Barrett, the CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital.
In the first quarter of 2021, SMBC delivered 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to air carriers, including 11 to Southwest Airlines (LUV) in the United States and two aircraft to German air carrier TUI.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 is designed to fly 3,550 nm (6,570 km) and is able to seat up to 210 passengers.
“SMBC has been actively managing its portfolio in a very dynamic market. With this new order for the fuel-efficient 737-8, the lessor is well positioned to help its customers capture domestic travel demand in several countries and regions,” said Ihssane Mounir, the Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
Irish-based SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies, with 85 airline customers in 36 countries. It is owned by Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group consortium.
