Ryanair finalised an order for 10 additional 737 MAXs at the Paris Air Show Tuesday. The order is valued at more than US$1.1b at current list prices. The carrier now has 110 unfilled orders with 100 options for the higher capacity 737 MAX 8, as well as 65 Next-Generation 737-800s. Ryanair COO Mick Hickey said, “This all new MAX 737 aircraft has 8 more seats than our current 189-seat Boeing 737-800s and incorporates the latest technology engines and winglets, which reduces fuel consumption and noise emissions, ensuring we remain Europe’s greenest, cleanest airline.” Ryanair is an all-Boeing operator and launched the higher capacity 737 MAX 8 in late 2014 with an order for 100 aircraft. The carrier is Boeing’s largest 737-800 customer. In March this year Ryanair took delivery of its 450th Next-Generation 737-800. <br/>
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SpiceJet has signed a letter of intent for the purchase of up to 50 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, the manufacturer announced Tuesday. The LOI includes 25 Q400 turboprops and purchase rights on an additional 25 aircraft, and is valued at US$1.6b if all rights are exercised, based on current list prices. “[The Q400’s] 86-seat configuration will support SpiceJet [to] develop its domestic operations from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India,” Bombardier VP Sales-South Asia and Australasia François Cognard said. “SpiceJet operates India’s largest regional fleet and is the only organised operator in this space. The acquisition will help us further increase connectivity to smaller towns and cities and help realise prime minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring that every Indian can fly,” SpiceJet chairman and MD Ajay Singh said. <br/>
Latin American LCC group Viva Air signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 35 A320neos and 15 A320ceos. Viva Air airlines VivaColombia, based in Medellin, and Viva Air Peru, based in Lima, will operate the narrowbodies. “This order is going be magnificent for growth,” VivaColombia CE and founder William Shaw said. “In May 2018, we will take the first of the 15 ceos and then the neos from 2020. They will be used for international expansion in Colombia and Peru. From Peru, we are not international, so we will expand our presence there, as well as starting a third Viva somewhere in the region. The jury is still out on which country that will be,” Shaw said, adding, “We look forward to making an engine selection soon. <br/>
Air Senegal has signed a firm contract for 2 ATR 72-600s at the Paris Air Show. The order has estimated value of E50m (US$56m) at list prices. Delivery of these 2 turboprop aircraft, which will constitute the initial fleet of the airline, will be made in Nov 2017. Air Senegal’s inauguration ceremony will be held Dec 7, in conjunction with the inauguration of the new Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass. The reinstatement of a national airline is part of the wider scope of a govt plan called Plan for an Emerging Senegal, aimed at establishing new economic and social policies in the medium to long term, to revitalise the economic growth of the country, and to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. <br/>