Alaska Air To Buy 52 Boeing 737 Max Aircraft

"This agreement represents the largest commitment for future aircraft in the airline’s history," the airline said in a statement.

This order increased the airline's confirmed 737 MAX fleet from 94 to 146. The deliveries for the first 52 aircraft will take place between 2024 and 2027.

The additional 105 aircraft will have delivery dates up through 2030, as Boeing noted, "ensuring access to sufficient aircraft for fleet replacement and growth."

"This investment secures aircraft to optimize our growth through the next decade, which we know will be a formidable competitive advantage," Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said.

At the present time, Alaska Airlines operates a fleet of 35 737-9 aircraft and is expecting to take delivery of another 43 MAX aircraft between now and the end of 2023.

Alaska Airlines is phasing out the use of Airbus in its fleet. "The performance of the 737-9 has exceeded expectations on economics and fuel efficiency, as well as guest satisfaction," the airline said.

This 43 aircraft will include 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10 aircraft.

The 737 MAX family "offers environmental performance and flexibility to expand service across its route network," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Alaska Air is also buying local, he noted.

"Built in our Renton factory near Alaska's headquarters in Washington, these airplanes will carry passengers to destinations for years to come," he added.

Boeing Alaska Delivery By the Numbers:

The news of the aircraft order comes as the Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) announced it has opened a distribution center in Germany to better serve its European-based clients. The newest distribution center is located in Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany, located 16 miles north of Hamburg.

The facility encompasses 200,000 square feet and, according to Boeing officials, the new center will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced Boeing facilities. The location will help supply more than 6,000 airlines, suppliers, and component manufacturers with chemicals and specialty materials.

"Opening this new site in Germany positions us to deliver more services to regional operators to keep their fleets running safely, efficiently, and sustainably," Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Global Services, said in a statement. “With the growing demand for these products, we need to provide our customers in the region with the chemical and specialty materials they need, when and where they need them.”

"The opening of this distribution center will help grow Boeing's commitment to Germany and the European aerospace market," said Michael Haidinger, president of Boeing Germany. “Our goal is to support the long-term growth of the aerospace industry in the region and consolidate Boeing's leading position in the European distribution services market. We are pleased to have a site that also sets sustainable standards and offers our employees a state-of-the-art workplace."

The company noted that the new location allows Boeing to expand capacity and product portfolio while meeting high sustainability standards. In order to minimize the environmental footprint, for example, the building is equipped with a heat pump. A photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof in 2023. There will also be charging stations for electric cars available at the site. The facility will be seeking Gold certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). The DGNB is a non-profit, non-governmental worldwide organization dedicated to raising public awareness of the necessity of sustainable building with a focus on demonstrating that it can be done.