SMBC places $8.5B Boeing order

by Payload Asia

Boeing and SMBC Aviation Capital announced an order for 80 737 MAX 8s, valued at more than US$8.5 billion at list prices.

The deal is the largest single order for 737 MAXs from a leasing company. With this agreement SMBC Aviation Capital becomes the 50th 737 MAX customer and grows the programme’s order book to more than 2,400 airplanes.

“It is 10 years since our business placed its first order with Boeing and we have enjoyed a decade of successful partnership since then,” said Peter Barrett, chief executive, SMBC Aviation Capital. “The 737 MAX 8 is one of the most fuel efficient and versatile aircraft available and today’s announcement shows our ongoing commitment to the new generation of the popular 737 family, as well as our appetite to keep broadening and deepening our platform in order to service our customers’ requirements.

“This order is another example of our history of partnership with SMBC Aviation Capital and Japan,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president Ray Conner. “This announcement from a top leasing company is a vote of confidence in our 737 MAX and helps SMBC Aviation Capital capture the strong demand in the single-aisle market.”