Photo: Boeing.
Boeing has won an order for up to 35 737 MAX planes from the new Caribbean airline, Arajet. Meet Boeing’s new customer, Arajet, a carrier launching operations in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, that will operate with an all-737 MAX fleet.
Arajet, Boeing’s new kid in the block
Arajet and Boeing announced today the new Caribbean airline has ordered 20 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. Arajet chose the high-capacity, low-cost favorite, the 737-8-200 model, which will allow the startup to deliver low operating costs.
The new carrier also has options to purchase 15 additional 737 MAX jets. Along with existing lease agreements (the airline currently operates one B737-8 aircraft) would push Arajet’s fleet over 40 airplanes.
Victor Pacheco Mendez, founder, and executive officer of Arajet, said,
“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 aircraft order is already accounted for in Boeing’s Order & Deliveries database, as it was finalized in January and attributed to an unidentified customer.
Meet the new airline
Arajet has been in the makings for quite some time now. It was previously known as Dominican Wings (2014-2018) and Flycana (2018-2021) but was rebranded.
The new carrier will have its hub in Santo Domingo and will operate low-cost regional flights, flying to destinations like Costa Rica, Colombia, Jamaica, and other Caribbean islands. Arajet is also eyeing the United States as a potential destination.
Being located in Santo Domingo “will leverage the range of the 737 MAX to serve a large number of traditional and underserved markets efficiently,” said Boeing.
There are 29 carriers connecting the Dominican Republic with the United States, Latin America & the Caribbean. US carriers primarily dominate the market (JetBlue has nearly 27% of every seat offered to the country).
Mike Wilson, vice president of sales, Latin America & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said,
“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.”
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.
