Upgrading fleet, Alaska Air buys 13 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

SEATTLE, Washington: Alaska Airlines announced on May 12 its purchase of 13 737-9 MAX aircraft from Boeing, as well as 17 aircraft from Embraer, as the group, based in Seattle, preps for a revival in reservations as COVID-19 inoculations roll out in full swing.

"Alaska expects domestic travel to return to pre-COVID levels by the summer of 2022, which will require more aircraft across Air Group," the airlines said in a statement.

The 737-9 MAX orders fall under the carrier's choices for procurement from the last month of 2020, when the airlines had placed an order for 23 MAX aircraft.

Alaska Air is looking to receive nine MAX jets out of the total 13 in 2023 and four 737-9 MAX aircraft in 2024.

According to the carrier, its mainline fleet will increase to 111 aircraft, with the addition of 17 Embraers, as the ordered jets are expected to be delivered in 2022 and 2023.