SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Boeing and Arajet announced today the new Caribbean airline has ordered 20 737 MAX airplanes, specifically the high-capacity 737-8-200 model, to deliver low operating costs and expand affordable travel options in the Americas.
Arajet also has options to purchase 15 additional 737 MAX jets which, along with existing lease agreements, could take the airline's new fuel-efficient fleet to 40 airplanes. The aircraft order was finalized in January and is currently attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website.
The airline hosted a launch event yesterday at its new hub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Positioned between North and South America, this location in the Caribbean will leverage the range of the 737 MAX to efficiently serve a large number of traditional and underserved markets in the continental United States, Brazil, Colombia, and beyond, Arajet says.
The 737 MAX 8-200 is a high-capacity variant of the aircraft, which has been exclusively developed for Irish low-cost specialist Ryanair. The aircraft isn’t actually bigger, but rather there are more seats squeezed into it.
Arajet's first jet, a 737-8 leased from Griffin Global Asset Management, was delivered in early March. The jet was toured by Dominican President Luis Abinader, who attended the launch event, along with industry, government, and tourism officials. As travel and tourism recovers globally, Arajet will bring approximately 4,000 new jobs and significant new economic development to the island nation. Tourism makes up 8.4% of the Dominican Republic's GDP.
