SpiceJet has signed a MOU covering 40 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, although 20 of these are conversions from an existing MAX 8 order. Once firmed, SpiceJet will join the 737 MAX 10 launch customer group. “The agreement, valued at US$4.7b at current list prices, is split evenly between 20 new orders for the 737 MAX 10 and conversions of 20 of the carrier's 737 MAX 8 airplanes from its existing order to 737 MAX 10s,” Boeing said. Boeing said the order will be posted to its orders and deliveries website once it is finalised. “With the introduction of our 737 MAXs next year, we will be able to further expand our network, while keeping our costs low for our customers,” SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said. “We got into a lot of trouble in 2014 and Boeing was there to support us." <br/>
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Monarch Airlines has firmed options on a further 15 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, valued at US$1.7b at current list prices, and signed a support joint venture with Boeing. The order, which was announced at the Paris Air Show, uses all of the options from Monarch’s 2014 order. It takes the airline’s total 737 MAX 8 commitment to 45 aircraft, with first delivery in 2018. “The order was previously attributed to unidentified customers on the Boeing orders and deliveries website. Monarch has confirmed the 15 options and has agreed with a lessor for them to take 13 aircraft for lease back to Monarch,” Boeing said. Monarch is transitioning from an Airbus to a Boeing fleet, which should be completed by the end of 2022. Boeing also announced it will supply Monarch with flight training for its 737 MAX fleet, as well as aircraft records management. <br/>
Philippine Airlines intends to use its latest order for Bombardier Q400s to help wrest market share back from local LCCs, PAL COO Jaime Bautista said Monday. PAL has converted 7 purchase orders for Q400s to firm orders. In Dec 2016, it firmed the other 5 aircraft in what had initially been a letter of intent to purchase 12. “We used to be the dominant domestic player, but with the arrival of LCCs in the early 2000s, they were able to get people who used to travel by boat or bus,” Bautista said. “They have grown faster than us and the board of PAL believes we should get back market share.” The 7 new Q400s will replace 5 older examples of the Bombardier turboprop in the airline’s inventory. They will be outfitted in an 86-seat, dual-class configuration—8 premium economy at 33-in. pitch and 78 economy-class at 29-in. pitch. <br/>
Indonesian carrier Lion Air has signed a MOU to take 50 Boeing MAX 10 single-aisle aircraft, Boeing said Monday. The Lion Air Group, which consists of several carriers in the region including Malaysia-based Malindo Air, is already one of the world’s largest Boeing 737NG operators and has previously ordered 201 MAXs. The Group was the lead customer for both the MAX 8 and MAX 9 and while it was too early to say if it would take a similar position for the MAX 10, it was very likely that it would be among the first operators of the largest member of the MAX family, Boeing SVP-sales, Asia-Pacific and India Dinesh Kaskar said. Lion Air president Edward Siriat said the MAX 10s would be used on domestic services throughout the Indonesian archipelago and elsewhere in the region. <br/>