June 21 (SeeNews) - Romanian low-cost carrier Blue Air has placed an order for six 737 MAXs 8 aircraft with US aviation corporation Boeing.
Blue Air becomes the first Romanian 737 MAX operator following the deal closed at the 2017 Paris Air Show, it said in a press release on Tuesday.
Blue Air also reserved the right to buy another two such aircraft under the newly signed contract.
Also on Tuesday, Blue Air concluded a long-term lease agreement with US-based Air Lease Corporation (ALC) for six new Boeing 737 MAX 8 and six used 737-800 aircraft.
"By placing a firm order with Boeing as well as contracting additional aircraft from our strategic partner Air Lease Corporation, Blue Air will incorporate 20 ultra-modern aircraft into its fleet," Gheorghe Racaru, CEO of Blue Air, said.
The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling aircraft in Boeing history, accumulating more than 3,700 orders from 87 customers worldwide.
"We are delighted to announce Blue Air as Romania’s first 737 MAX customer,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president for European sales Monty Oliver said. "The 737 MAX is ideally suited to Blue Air and the market it serves, increasing revenue potential all with improved operating efficiencies.”
Prior to the lease and the new orders placed to Boeing, Blue Air operated a fleet of 25 Boeing 737 aircraft.
Blue Air, the only air carrier in Romania with 100% Romanian capital, started operations in December 2004. In 2013, it was taken over by Airline Management Solutions Company in a 30 million euro ($33.5 million) deal.
It has bases in Romania, Italy, the United Kingdom and Cyprus. Since 2016, it has become the largest Romanian airline by scheduled passengers flown, operating flights to more than 100 destinations in 16 countries.
($=0.8963 euro)