United to add three used 767-300ERs to fleet

United, broadening its used-aircraft acquisition strategy to widebodies, will add three Boeing 767-300ERs to its fleet in 2018, continuing a trend that has seen it tap the second-hand market to boost its fleet significantly in the past two years. The 767-300ERs are said to be coming from Hawaiian Airlines via Boeing Capital and will join United's fleet in H2 2018. Hawaiian plans to retire its 767 fleet this year. While the 767s are the only used aircraft included in United's latest fleet plan, which envisions adding 24 mainline aircraft in 2018, executives are leaving the door open for more deals. “I love used airplanes, as many of you know,” United CFO Andrew Levy said. “There will be many more used aircraft to talk about as time goes on and as we take advantage of the spot market.” Besides adding capacity via used aircraft, United has been improving its balance sheet by snapping up aircraft it leases when the time is right. Last year, it bought 46 aircraft off lease, Levy said, and has 60 more leased aircraft expiring in 2018. “We probably won’t buy all 60,” Levy said. “It’ll depend on the economics of each transaction, but that’s a very efficient way to add to the fleet or to keep their fleet instead of buying new airplanes.”<br/>