The WestJet Group will acquire three additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital. These aircraft are in addition to six Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes the WestJet Group announced leasing agreements for earlier this summer.
“With our longstanding partner SMBC, we are thrilled to be adding three more Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to our growing fleet as we execute upon our mission of providing affordable air travel options to our guests,” said Mike Scott, the WestJet Group’s EVP and CFO.
The airline says its acquisition of nine leased Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in the last six months allows it to bolster its plan for fleet growth, while managing delays for direct-from-factory aircraft.
While WestJet guests will benefit from the additional capacity across the airline’s network, the aircraft will not immediately reflect the interior cabin experience familiar to WestJet guests.
The airline says updating and refreshing the interior cabins of the aircraft will be prioritized as part of the airline’s existing fleet reconfiguration plans, to ensure a consistent experience for guests across its operation as soon as possible.