United Airlines is moving forward with fleet renewal. The American airline has now announced the largest order in the company’s history. The company announced that it has ordered 200 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, which lost its reputation after the crash – and 70 Airbus A321neo mid-range aircraft.
The order is worth a catalog of $35.4 billion, the company wrote. The German News Agency (dpa), quoting experts, stated that the matter would cost about 15 billion dollars. “Business travel is back 100 per cent and everything we see week after week makes us more confident,” said Scott Kirby, United CEO.
United Airlines says it expects more than 500 new machines in the coming years. 40 aircraft will be added next year, then another 138 aircraft in 2023. In 2024 and after that the portfolio will be expanded by about 350 aircraft. According to Airbus, a large number of the newly ordered A321neo aircraft will be manufactured in Mobile, Alabama.
Boeing 757-200 will retire
According to United Director Andrew Nocella, the company relies on both types of aircraft because the Airbus A321neo is slightly larger and has a greater range. With them one wants to establish oneself at the disputed airports of Newark and San Francisco.
The airline wants to be the first major airline to return in commercial supersonic flights with passengers. At the beginning of the month, United announced the acquisition of 15 Boom Supersonic “Introduction” aircraft.
In turn, a total of about 300 old aircraft will be decommissioned, including old Boeing 757-200s. United, which has received $10.5 billion in government aid during the pandemic, has announced that the purchase will create 25,000 jobs. At the same time, the number of small aircraft will be reduced.