Calgary-based WestJet has entered into agreements with two leasing companies for an additional five Boeing 737 MAX 8s to join its fleet in early 2025. They are to be dry leased from lessors CDG Aviation (three aircraft) and Avolon (two aircraft).
With WestJet securing these five additional aircraft, the airline now expects to welcome a further 22 Boeing 737 MAXs into its fleet in 2025. With other airframes already on order with Boeing, the carrier now has 67 additional delivery slots booked with the US manufacturer, with all deliveries due to be completed by 2028. The number of back orders in place with Boeing makes the WestJet order the largest narrowbody order book of any airline in Canada.
This order book is made up of nine 737 MAX 8s plus ten 737 MAX 10s, plus five 737 MAX 8s being acquired through lessor SMBC Aviation Capital. The balance consists of options currently held by WestJet.
“We are adding these five aircraft to our B737 MAX family very soon and look forward to this additional capacity enhancing our already forecasted fleet expansion, further enabling our execution of providing affordable and diverse air travel options for our guests,” said Mike Scott, the Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.
According to ch-aviation, WestJet currently operates a fleet of 176 aircraft. This includes 40 Boeing 737-700s, 46 737-800s, four 737-800(BCF) freighters, 32 737 MAX 8s, plus seven 787-9s for long-haul routes. In late 2023, WestJet announced the sale and leaseback of six 737-800s to Irish-based leasing firm Genesis Aircraft Services.
In addition to WestJet’s’ mainline fleet, the carrier’s regional subsidiary WestJet Encore operates 46 De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Q400s on behalf of the parent company.