American Increases 737 Orders
American Increases 737 Orders
Aug 14, 2008
By Adrian Schofield/Aviation Daily
American yesterday boosted its 737-800 order for the second time this year, adding six more aircraft to its scheduled 2010 deliveries.
While some other airlines have deferred deliveries in response to high fuel prices and a bleak industry outlook, American has opted to accelerate its fleet replacement schedule — although it is still slashing near-term capacity like the others. The carrier believes the 737-800 is 35% more fuel-efficient than the MD-80 on a seat-mile basis.
The airline has signed a deal confirming 35 extra aircraft orders for 2009 and 2010, including the new orders as well as backlog additions it revealed in April (DAILY, April 17). The total comprises six new orders, 20 purchase rights which are being exercised, and nine existing orders which are being brought forward.
The new orders means American is now slated to receive 36 737s in 2009 and 40 in 2010. The airline says the orders will allow it to accelerate its MD-80 — and presumable A300 — retirement schedule, but no new information was revealed this week about retirement numbers. American still has commitments for 11 737s in 2013, and the carrier said it “continues to evaluate opportunities” to accelerate MD-80 retirements.
The carrier has arranged backstop financing for about two-thirds of the 2009-2010 deliveries. It could finance all of its 2009 deliveries under this arrangement if it chose to do so.
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