News
Icelandair in its most recent first quarter presentation indicated that it is now reviewing its current fleet strategy and examining three options. Those options include maintaining an unchanged fleet strategy that trades out the Boeing 757 for the 737 MAX, a faster fleet renewal strategy that would introduce the A321neo alongside the 737 MAX, and an all Airbus fleet, with all Boeing aircraft (including 6 already delivered 737 MAX aircraft) taken out of operations.
The latter two options would add Airbus aircraft to the Icelandair fleet and imperil future orders for the 737 MAX. The latter option would include abandoning the MAX, a recent addition to Icelandair’s fleet, and indicate a lack of confidence in the aircraft.
Analysis
Even to consider dropping a new aircraft from a fleet plan is a major blow to the reputation of the aircraft and confidence in the OEM. Perhaps Icelandair feels that passenger acceptance of the 737 MAX will find customers booking away from the type, or perhaps find the opportunity of the 737 MAX groundings to make a change to the A321neo or LR or forthcoming XLR that will offer additional range and performance improvements.
Icelandair in its most recent first quarter presentation indicated that it is now reviewing its current fleet strategy and examining three options. Those options include maintaining an unchanged fleet strategy that trades out the Boeing 757 for the 737 MAX, a faster fleet renewal strategy that would introduce the A321neo alongside the 737 MAX, and an all-Airbus fleet, with all Boeing aircraft (including 6 already delivered 737 MAX aircraft) taken out of operations.
The latter two options would add Airbus aircraft to the Icelandair fleet and imperil future orders for the 737 MAX. The latter option would include abandoning the MAX, a recent addition to Icelandair’s fleet, and indicate a lack of confidence in the aircraft.
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