Primera Air has signed the purchase of two additional Boeing 737 Max 9 airliners for 2019, thereby increasing the order to a total of 10 new units.
This will further enhance the carrier’s growth potential with possibilities of adding, even more, new routes to its already extensive network.
“Being the first airline in the world to take the Boeing 737 Max 9 – Extended Range into service gives Primera Air a fantastic opportunity and position to grow new traffic on routes that so far have been either underserved or simply very expensive. It will also allow us to offer travelers very friendly fares and great service on our flights,” says Andri Már Ingólfsson, the president and owner of Primera Air.
At the same time, Primera Air has signed an agreement with Aviation Capital Group for the sale and leaseback of three Boeing 737 Max 9 airliners that Primera Air has on order from Boeing due for delivery in 2019. The total value of the three aircrafts is $360 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, the aircraft will be leased back for 12 years. The announcement of this sale and leaseback transaction with Aviation Capital Group which successfully won the mandate in a competitive selection marks Primera´s fleet upgrade and expansion. It will not only contribute to expanding airline’s network across the Atlantic but will also reduce fuel consumption by up to 15% in comparison with Primera’s current fleet of 737-800 Next Generation aircraft.
The Max 9-ER is fitted with auxiliary tanks and has the longest range of the Boeing 737-Max family, reaching 4000 Nautical miles. Taking into service Max 9’s will enable Primera Air to cover new routes that so far have been served almost exclusively by wide-body aircraft. The unique fuel economy possibilities of this new aircraft will allow operating routes currently not served with direct flights, including flights from many of Europe’s largest cities.
Primera Air is a scheduled operator, operating flights to more than 70 airports in Europe. Primera Air is based in Denmark and Latvia and is part of the Primera Travel Group that operates travel agencies and tour operating companies in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Estonia.