Boeing and Arajet have confirmed that the Dominican startup carrier has placed an order for 20 737 MAX 8 aircraft. In the deal, finalized in February, Arajet has also optioned 15 other 737 MAX jets, which could bring their fleet up to 40 aircraft.
Speaking of the newfound partnership, Vice President of Boeing’s Sales in Latin America & Caribbean, Mike Wilson, commented:
"The 737 MAX is the perfect fit for Arajet and it's an honor to welcome this exciting new operator to the Boeing family. Flying an exclusive 737 MAX fleet will enable Arajet to save on fuel, maintenance and operations costs, and pass those savings on to its customers."
Details of the order
The announcement of the deal coincides with Arajet’s official launch event at its new hub in Santo Domingo on March 14. The carrier has selected the narrowbody for its fuel efficiency, range, and high-capacity cabin, which will allow the airline to offer affordable, low-cost travel on underserved routes across the Caribbean and Americas. Arajet is expected to commence full operations in May upon delivery of the carrier’s four remaining 737s.
Since its recent return to the skies, the 737 MAX 8 has become a popular choice for low-cost carriers. The jet is able to fly further while using 20% less fuel than the previous 737 generations.
Arajet founder and CEO, Victor Pacheco Mendez, said of the fleet expansion:
“The efficient Boeing 737 MAX, together with financial and operational support from our partners at Griffin and Bain Capital, gives us the solid foundation necessary to provide flights at affordable prices to travelers in the region. These partners believe in our vision and see the same bright future for this market and beyond. The entire team was elated to see our first aircraft arrive in Santo Domingo a few days ago, and we are eager to expand our fleet with more of these amazing jets in the months ahead.”
The future of Arajet
Earlier this month, the carrier took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8, leased from Griffin Global Asset Management. The jet is the first of its type registered in the Dominican Republic. The new aircraft was toured by Dominican President, Luis Abinader, who attended the launch event with industry, government, and tourism officials to celebrate the airlines’ launch. Arajet will be announcing further details of its operation schedule shortly.
Arajet is set to help boost the Dominican Republic’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, creating 4,000 new jobs and building significant new economic development on the island nation. Tourism makes up 8.4% of the Dominican Republic’s GDP.
The ultra-low-cost carrier started its life as a charter service, known as Dominican Wings, receiving its airworthiness certificate back in 2014. The airline rebranded into flycana in 2017, offering scheduled services, before finally establishing itself as Arajet in September 2021. Operations are set to commence in the coming months.
What do you think of Arajet's recent Boeing order? Will you be flying with the carrier this year? Let us know in the comments section.