Monarch receives first 737-800

Monarch Airlines (UK) received it's first Boeing 737-800 (MSN 40874/3316 G-ZBAV), expected to be mostly operated out of Birmingham this summer. The ex-Pegasus Airlines aircraft was built in mid 2010, and has operated with Pegasus since new. Monarch currently operates an all Airbus A320/A321 fleet (10 A320s and 25 A321s). However, Monarch will be rolling over this fleet from 2018 onwards with an order of 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. This is a full circle for Monarch, having started jet operations with used Boeing 720s, and subsequently a variety of new and used 737-200s, 737-300s and new 757s. The airline is also the only UK commercial airline to have not changed it's name (or merged or been taken over) since commencing service on April 5th, 1968.

Boeing 737-82R MSN 40874 L/N 3316 Monarch Airlines G-ZBAV Delivered 5/18/17

Boeing 737-82R MSN 40874 L/N 3316 Monarch Airlines G-ZBAV Delivered 5/18/17

Andes Airlines leases it's first 737-800

Andes Airlines (Argentina) leased it's first Boeing 737-800 (MSN 30007/746 LV-GWL) from Macquarie Airfinance, adding to an existing fleet of 4 MD-80s. The late 2000 vintage aircraft initially operated with South African Airways, followed by Firefly and Malaysia Airlines. The aircraft will enter service soon after painting and pre-service maintenance.

Malindo Air takes delivery of the first 737 MAX 8

Indonesia's Lion Air's Malaysian subsidiary Malindo Air has taken delivery of the first Boeing 737 MAX 8 (42985/5948 9M-LRC) thus commencing the next chapter of Boeing's long running 737 program, the MAX models being the fourth major generation of the aircraft. The aircraft is in the colors of Batik Air Malaysia, which will become the new brand name for Malindo Air later in 2017. First commercial service was May 22nd Kuala Lumpur -> Singapore

9M-LRD...was delivered May 23rd

Jet2 leases an A330-200

Jet2 (UK) wet-leased an Airbus A330-200 (MSN 1555) from Air Tanker (UK), it's first use of a widebody aircraft. The aircraft will be based at Manchester for the summer, operating on Jet2's busiest European holiday routes. The airline plans to again lease the aircraft for Summer 2018.

Allegiant Air takes delivery of it's first new A320

Allegiant Air (US) took delivery of it's first (of 12) newly manufactured Airbus A320s (MSN 7664 N246NV). This bring's Allegiant's A320 current fleet to 20, with the previous 19 all acquired on the used aircraft market. Until now, all of Allegiant's aircraft have been acquired on the used market.

The airline also currently operates 20 A319s, 2 757-200s and 46 MD-80s. The latter two types of aircraft are being phased out over the next two years, as Allegiant moves to an all Airbus fleet.

EasyJet orders A321s

EasyJet (UK) ordered it's first A321-200neo aircraft, converting 30 A320neo orders to the larger model, which will seat 235 passengers. Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, first delivery is expected in Summer 2018.

TAROM re-introduces 737-800 service

TAROM (Tarom - Romanian Air Transport) is to re-introduce Boeing 737-800 service following the lease of the first (of two) new aircraft leased from Babcock & Brown (US). The airline has also recently ordered two aircraft direct from Boeing. MSN 63701/6390 YR-BGJ was originally ordered by Pegasus Airlines (Turkey), but not taken up. TAROM previously operated three leased 737-800s between 2008 and 2015. It's current fleet includes 4 737-300 classics, 4 737-700s, 4 A318s and 2 A310-300s (both stored since 2016).

Boeing 737-82R MSN 63701/6390 TAROM YR-BGJ Delivered May 16th 2017 (LF BBAM)

Corendon Airlines receives first new 737-800

Corendon Airlines (Turkey) took delivery of it's first newly manufactured Boeing 737-800 (MSN 42058 TC-COR) on operating lease from Air Lease Corporation (US). The airline's existing fleet consists of 10 used 737-800s built between 1998 and 2008, including two also leased from Air Lease.

Express Freighters receives first 737-400F

Express Freighters (Australia) took delivery of it's first Boeing 737-400F (MSN 24796/1887 VH-XNH), to be operated for Qantas. It joins a fleet of 4 x 737-300Fs and 1 767-300F.

Niki ends A320 operations

Niki (Austria) ended A320 operations, following the transfer of it's last example to sister airline Air Berlin (mostly for wet-lease to Eurowings). The majority of Air Berlin's A321s have transferred to Niki, which now operates 16 of the type.

Postscript: Following Air Berlin's 8/17 insolvency filing, Niki Lauda is bidding to buy back the airline he created and owned.

LOT - Polish Airlines receives it's first Boeing 737-800

LOT - Polish Airlines took delivery of it's first Boeing 737-800, leased from AerCap. The aircraft is an ex-China Eastern model (MSN 30682/1673) built in 2005, one of several used examples to be acquired to aid the airline's European route expansion plans. The aircraft (plus a second delivered May 14th) will initially serve the airline's Warsaw-London Heathrow services. LOT has previously operated a large fleet of 737 classics (-300, -400 & -500s), of which three 737-400s remain active. The remainder of it's regional jet fleet consists of Embraer E-170 & E-190 family aircraft.

ConViasa suspends operations

ConViasa (Venezuela) is reported to have suspended operations effective May 5th, due to political unrest in the country, prevailing economic difficulties and a temporary lapse in insurance. It's sole widebody, a Boeing 747-400 wet leased from Wamos Air (Spain), was returned May 3rd, ending the Madrid-Caracas service. However, domestic services are expected to resume in due course.

The remaining active fleet consisted of 2 ATR-42s, 2 ATR-72s, 2 Bombardier CRJ-700ERs and 16 Embraer E-190s (although only about eight of the latter were thought to be in service at any one time).

Estafeta Carga Aerea...leases first 737-400F

Estafeta Carga Aerea (Mexico) leased it's first Boeing 737-400F (MSN 28894) from VX Capital (US). The freighter adds to Estafeta's existing fleet of 4 x 737-300Fs and 2 x Bombardier CRJ-100Fs.

Boeing 737-490F MSN 28894 L/N 3050 F/F 6/22/98
Alaska Airlines N706AS 7/10/98 - 9/19/16
Estafeta Carga Aerea XA-ESF 5/8/17 - present