BOC Aviation Limited the aircraft operating leasing company has confirmed it has delivered the first of 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on lease to Lynx Air. All 11 aircraft are part of the BOC's existing order book of planes, some of which are understood to be coming from the 130+ 737 MAX jets that are still in storage following the types grounding. The jets that BOC is leasing to Lynx are powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.
“We are delighted to welcome Lynx as a new customer. This delivery will enable the airline to serve its customers with one of the most fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft flying today,” said Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation. “This transaction demonstrates our ability to provide popular, modern aircraft to our customers, aligned with our strategy of generating long-term sustainable growth.”
“We are thrilled to be receiving our seventh Boeing 737 aircraft, which will enable us to expand our North American network and offer our ultra-affordable fares and great flying experience to more Canadians,” said Merren McArthur, CEO and President of Lynx Air. “We are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with BOC Aviation and Boeing, as we continue to transform the aviation market in Canada.”
Boeing announced an issue with the 737 MAX in the last couple of weeks which affects the connection of the tail fin to the rest of the aircraft. The fault is considered to be just a 'gnarly defect' which doesn't affect the airworthiness of the plane, yet the issue and rectifying it will cause delays to the production rate the aircraft maker warns.
It is unknown exactly how many jets the latest flaw affects, although many believe it is all jets produced since 2019 and repairs on completed aircraft could take weeks, although during the production such corrections will only take a couple of days.
Last week Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun said: "We will work diligently through rework of affected airplanes in production and storage to ensure each meets our standards prior to delivery. This effort will impact the timing of deliveries over the next several months; however, we remain confident in the operational and financial goals we set for this year, as well as for the longer term."
Lynx Air is one of the new ultra-low-cost Canadian airlines which is on a mission to make air travel accessible to all, with ultra-affordable fares and a customer-focused flying experience. Lynx is a privately owned airline and says it has the financial backing and industry expertise required to transform the Canadian aviation landscape which is already over-subscribed with excess airline capacity.
