Caribbean Airlines retired its fleet of older Boeing 737-800s at the end of 2022, in favor of new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Currently the Trinidad and Tobago-based carrier operates nine MAX 8s, and 10 ATR 72-600 aircraft.
When Caribbean initially announced its MAX 8 order back in 2018, they were looking at 12 units to replace the 12 737-800NGs which they operated at the time.
After suffering massive losses during the pandemic period, the airline decided to take nine MAXs instead, setting aside three as options.
Now that the air travel market has picked up significant steam, the airline has changed gears, with major expansion plans coming in the next few years. They’ve added more ATRs, and opened up markets to St. Kitts, Puerto Rico and Tortola, and were even considering a third aircraft type for more regional mid-range operations.
Credit: Bradley Wint/Gate CheckedBoeing 737-800 to temporarily fill MAX 8 order gap
Unfortunately for Caribbean Airlines, Boeing’s 737 MAX delivery rates have slowed globally as the aerospace company continues to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to sort out its safety issues.
This means that Caribbean won’t get their hands on a MAX any time soon as they join the list of other carriers waiting for unfulfilled orders to be completed over the next few years to come. As a result, expansion to new markets has proven challenging, with their current complement of jets being utilized around the clock.
To get around this, the airline will lease an older Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, just like what they previously operated prior to the introduction of the MAX 8s.
The chosen candidate is an 15-year-old 737-800 registered M-ABPP. The aircraft which is currently under the management of UMB Bank took to the French skies on September 11, 2024 for demonstration purposes after being in storage at the Toulouse Francazal airport.
This aircraft was delivered new to JAL Express (now merged into Japan Airlines) in December 2009 carrying the registration JA324J. Less than eight years later, it was returned to its lessors, and in late 2023, it was being prepared to fly for Argentinian low-cost-carrier FlyBondi.
Even after being primed to fly as LV-KJT, the aircraft was ultimately not taken up and remained with UMB Bank since.
The aircraft has since left France (QYF), routing through Reykjavík (KEF) and Halifix (YHZ), and should arriving in Trinidad (POS) on September 21 just after 10 a.m. local time.
Credit: Bradley Wint/Gate CheckedWhat’s most interesting is that unlike the rest of the MAXs which have business and economy cabins, this aircraft will be all economy, most likely set up to accommodate 189 passengers. This might sound like a tight squeeze, but this layout should still offer the same standard 30 inches of seat pitch already offered on the MAX 8s in economy.
It’s not clear what routes the carrier plans to operate this 737-800 on, but it would open up the doors for them to fly to newer and potentially further destinations with their current MAX 8s.
(story updated September 20, 2024 to confirm details about lease and delivery)
Featured image: Bradley Wint/Gate Checked
