A Primera Air 737-800 (Photo: Ken Fielding/http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenfielding [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)
Scandinavian carrier Primera Air has announced an order and agreement with Boeing for eight 737 MAX 9 aircraft, valued at $950 million list price.
This order also includes purchase rights for four more of the aircraft type and a lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation for an additional eight bringing the total count to 20 if the carrier wishes to receive more.
Primera’s order will help boost its connectivity outside of Europe to the East Coast of the United States. The airline plans to use the Boeing 737’s auxiliary fuel tank feature which will enable this long-haul connectivity.
Andri M. Ingolfsson, President of Primera Air commented on this huge milestone for the airline: “The 737 MAX 9 will allow Primera Air to open up nonstop, long-haul routes from Europe to the U.S. with unmatched economics. This aircraft has a lower per-seat cost than the current wide-body aircraft servicing the transatlantic and the capabilities of this aircraft type will change the economics of the industry. This will open up fantastic possibilities for growth for Primera Air in the future.”
Up-close with the latest generation 737 MAX aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Krautkremer)
Monty Oliver, Boeing’s Vice President for European Sales also said the following: “Primera Air’s commitment is a major endorsement of the 737 MAX 9 and its ability to serve new transatlantic markets.”
“The MAX 9 will provide Primera Air unmatched efficiency, range, reliability and operating costs while continuing to provide a premium onboard experience for its passengers,” he continued.
The airline’s 737 MAXs will feature the CFM International LEAP-1B Engines, a powerplant that has come into contact with the media this week following problems with the turbines.
Problems aside, the engines will provide Primera higher efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort as well as large cost savings compared to the conventional engines on other Boeing models.
The Boeing 737 MAX has received over 3,700 orders from 87 different customers across the globe. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 will enter into competition with aircraft like the Airbus A321neo flying medium to long haul routes.
Primera Air has been a Boeing customer since its start. With an all-Boeing fleet currently using nine Boeing 737-700s and 737-800s, the carrier operates to over 70 airports across Europe. With a well-established European portfolio, it is no surprise that Primera Air wants to expand further into America.
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