Aircraft Leasing Firm Commits to $4 Billion Boeing 737 MAX Order, Pilot Hiring Spree, and More

Aviation news brief today

Dear readers,

Welcome to AviationOutlook newsletter, your one-stop source for the most relevant aviation news briefs and industry insights (every weekday).

Here are the exciting aviation industry updates for today. Let’s get started.

Challenging Quarter for Hawaiian Airlines, Amazon Cargo Partnership Looms as Silver Lining

Hawaiian Airlines faces a challenging operating landscape, leading to a $98 million loss in the first quarter. However, the airline is set to begin cargo flights for Amazon in the fourth quarter, leasing 10 Airbus A330-300 jets under a 10-year contract.

The partnership with Amazon is expected to boost growth, but Hawaiian Airlines must first address operational challenges such as grounded Airbus A321s due to supply chain disruptions and construction at its home base, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

The airline has also experienced delays in its inter-island flights in Hawaii, leading to cascading effects throughout the day. source

Image source Tomás Del Coro, Flickr

Aircraft Leasing Firm Avolon Commits to $4 Billion Boeing 737 MAX Order

Avolon, a global aircraft leasing firm, has agreed to a $4 billion deal to order 40 Boeing 737 MAX jets, bolstering the US planemaker amid ongoing delivery challenges.

Set for delivery between 2027 and 2030, the new jets will expand Avolon's fleet to 870 aircraft. Avolon CEO Andy Cronin expressed confidence in Boeing's ability to deliver the aircraft despite manufacturing issues.

The deal follows Boeing's announcement to increase 737 MAX production in H2 2023. Although industry-wide supply chain issues have improved recently, Cronin anticipates challenges persisting through 2023 and into 2024. source