Bangladeshi carrier US-Bangla Airlines yesterday signed a deal with AerCap, a global aircraft leasing company, to rent a brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft for 12 years.
One of the most widely accepted aircraft in the world, Boeing 737 Max 8 offers the latest technologies, Imran Asif, CEO of US-Bangla Airlines, said while signing the deal at a city hotel.
The 172-seat aircraft is set to be delivered to US-Bangla in 2020, Kamrul Islam, spokesperson of the airline, told The Daily Star.
He said US-Bangla would be the first airline operator to use a Boeing 737 Max 8 in Bangladesh.
AerCap's website terms it the “most active” aircraft trader in the world that serves over 200 customers in approximately 80 countries with comprehensive fleet solutions.
As of December 2016, AerCap had 1,566 owned, managed or on order aircraft in its portfolio. In a press briefing, Asif said US-Bangla would also take lease of two brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft soon.
Many renowned airlines in the world, including Malaysia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Fly Dubai have already started using Boeing 737 Max 8.
Philip Scruggs, president and chief commercial officer of AerCap, and Ahsen Rajput, deputy managing director for Middle East, Africa and south Asia for Boeing Capital Corporation, were also present among others.
US-Bangla started its journey on the domestic route on July 17, 2014 with two DASH8-Q400 aircraft using the motto “fly fast-fly safe”.
Currently, there are seven aircraft in its fleet comprising four Boeing 737-800s and three DASH8-Q400s.
US-Bangla also operates flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Doha, Mascot and Kolkata.
