Seattle-based carrier, Alaska Airline has confirmed that it is ordering more aircraft from Boeing and Embraer. In addition to aircraft which are already on order, Alaska Airlines stated that it now plans to add a total of 30 additional mainline and regional aircraft to its fleet. The airline has also announced that it plans to operate flights to a new international destination for leisure travellers.
Like the majority of US carriers, Alaska expects domestic travel to return to pre-pandemic levels by the summer of next year. This means the carrier will require more aircraft across its route network and is starting to prepare for the influx of travellers, who are eager to get out and travel.
Alaska Airlines decided to take up its option and has placed an additional order with Boeing for 13 Boeing 737 MAX jets, which will be staggered a bit later in 2023 and 2024. “Regional aircraft play a huge role in Alaska’s growing network,” said the Senior Vice President of fleet, finance and alliances, Nat Pieper. “As our network expands, regional aircraft connect smaller communities to our larger hubs providing critical feed to assist in the development of new markets.”
Last December, Alaska and Boeing renegotiated delivery terms for its order of 68 737 MAX aircraft which also includes an option for 52 more aircraft. The airline took delivery of its first 737 MAX aircraft, registered N913AK back in January and is already in commercial revenue service with the airline and expects to continue to receive 737 MAX aircraft as part of the carrier’s order right up until 2024.
The new terms on the deal with Boeing means the carrier is left with 39 options aircraft which it may use from 2023 to 2026. Speaking about the new agreement, Nat Pieper said, “We are excited to exercise options for more 737-9s just months after committing to 68 firm deliveries. It’s another indication that we’re ready for growth.”
Alaska has also placed a tentative order for 17 Embraer 175 aircraft, which will be split between the wholly-owned Horizon Air and SkyWest. Horizon will receive nine Embraer 175s over the next two years, with five scheduled for delivery in 2022 and four in 2023. Meanwhile, all of SkyWest’s aircraft will be delivered in 2022 and are scheduled to strategically arrive when demand begins to ramp up and the requirement for more jets is more prevalent.
In addition to updates to its fleet, Alaska has also announced the opening of a new international leisure destination for travellers. The airline revealed that it will soon operate flights from its west coast hubs to Belize City (BZE) and becomes the carrier’s most recent international destination.
Commented on the new destination, Brett Catlin, Alaska Airlines Vice President of network and alliances for Alaska said “Our guests are eager for more eco-friendly leisure destinations, especially as they get vaccinated, and we’re ready to offer them terrific options. Belize offers an unbeatable mix of sensational beaches, iconic cayes and rich heritage.”
Belize will also mark the fourth country that Alaska flies to and will join countries like Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. Potential operating schedules and routes to Belize are still yet to be announced, but they are expected to be revealed by early June when tickets go on sale.
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Source: https://aeronewsx.com/alaska-airlines-announces-fleet-expansion-and-new-route/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alaska-airlines-announces-fleet-expansion-and-new-route
