Turkey's SunExpress has placed a firm order for 45 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, with options and purchase rights for an additional 45 as it seeks to increase capacity and meet growing demand from its leading markets.
The order for the 45 planes, the airline's largest to date, comprises 28 Max 8s and 17 Max 10s, the companies said at the Dubai Airshow on Monday.
SunExpress said the deal is a “milestone”, as the 737 Max 10 – which can seat up to 230 passengers – will allow it to carry more than 200 travellers on a flight for the first time.
Deliveries are expected by 2029, as SunExpress is still in the midst of an order for 42 737-8 aircraft, nine of which have been delivered, chief executive Max Kownatzki told The National.
The order will more than double the airline's current all-Boeing fleet of 66 aircraft to about 150 by 2033, he said.
It will also add the capacity needed to serve its strong Turkish market, where the airline has reported strong growth, Mr Kownatzki said.
As a result of this growth, the airline looks to build its momentum in Turkey “and beyond”, including in its Abu Dhabi and Dubai services, he said.
“We're operating in 30 countries and we're looking further … we're committed to building up.”
The order will also contribute to SunExpress' goal of operating a fleet that is sustainable and fuel efficient, Mr Kownatzki said.
“The environmental footprint, as SunExpress takes people around, has become an important part of the dimension of the service,” he said.
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An Emirates plane accompanied by the UAE's Al Fursan aerobatic team during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
UAE craft flying in formation during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Italian Air Force during a display at the Dubai Air show at DWC in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A Bader 250 craft during the flying display at the Dubai Air show. Pawan Singh / The National -
An F16-60 during a display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
Day one of the Dubai Airshow at Al Maktoum Airport. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Embraer stand. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The SANAD stand. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Exhibits on show on day one. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The space agency stand at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Military aircraft on show. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The engine of a plane on display at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The Dubai Police stand. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors looking at missiles at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
An exhibit with a bird-themed paint scheme the Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central. Pawan Singh / The National -
A drone on display at the stand of UAE military technology company EDGE, at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors at the Dubai Airshow. The event has attracted more than 1,400 exhibitors from 95 countries. Pawan Singh / The National -
A helicopter on display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
An EDGE drone at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
An Etihad Airways passenger jet on display at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
UAE military aircraft at Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates crew with an Emirates plane at the Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
UAE military aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Abu Dhabi Police aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
A flydubai plane at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Crew preparing an aircraft for Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates chalet at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates planes on display at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Riyadh Air's chalet at Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors attend the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
A Boeing plane on display at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
UAE military aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National
SunExpress is a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Germany's Lufthansa, and has headquarters in Antalya and Frankfurt. It connects Turkey with Europe and other popular leisure destinations.
The carrier's network covers 175 routes in 30 countries.
In 2022, it carried nearly 11 million passengers, the airline said.
Its order is an early win for Boeing at the Dubai Airshow, where the aircraft maker is expected to compete with Airbus and others for orders.
The event has set the stage for a flurry of orders as airlines seek to win coveted delivery slots for the latest fuel-efficient jets amid a post-coronavirus boom in air travel.
Orders could range from 300 to more than 400 aircraft this year at the air show, where some of aviation industry's biggest deals have been signed in the past, according to estimates by industry analysts.
Virginia-based Boeing said its 737 Max aircraft offers carriers flexibility for short and medium-haul air travel. The 737 Max family reduces fuel use and carbon emissions by 20 per cent compared to the aircraft they replace, it said.
“SunExpress's continued commitment to the 737 Max reflects its confidence in the aeroplane's capability to meet demand from travellers to popular destinations across Turkey and beyond,” said Stan Deal, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial.
