Norwegian to Purchase 10 Boeing 737-800s From Current Lease Arrangements, and More

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Norwegian Will Convert 10 Leased Boeing 737-800s to Ownership

Norwegian Air Shuttle has announced an agreement to purchase ten Boeing 737-800 aircraft that are currently part of its leased fleet.

The transaction, expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, has been secured on favorable terms and represents a strategic move to enhance the airline's financial flexibility while reducing overall ownership costs.

Key Points

• The acquisition will be initially funded through Norwegian's cash reserves, with long-term financing arrangements to follow after completion

• Upon completion, Norwegian expects to record a non-recurring gain of approximately NOK 570 million (about $50.7 million)

• The airline anticipates recurring annual cost savings of around NOK 200 million ($17.8 million) net of financing costs

• CEO Geir Karlsen stated that the aircraft will continue to operate across Norwegian's existing route network

• The move aligns with Norwegian's long-term fleet strategy and is expected to provide additional flexibility for future fleet planning

• The airline is also awaiting the delivery of 50 new 737-8s, indicating continued fleet expansion plans

What It Means

With this move, Norwegian is trying to strengthen its balance sheet while maintaining operational continuity.

By transitioning from leasing to ownership, the airline is likely aiming to reduce long-term operational costs and gain more control over its assets.

Other Key Aviation Industry Updates for Today 👇

2. Airbus February Deliveries Rebound After Slow Start to 2025

Airbus delivered 35-39 aircraft in February 2025, showing improvement from January's 25 deliveries, when they fell behind Boeing's 45 jets.

The European planemaker is targeting 820 deliveries for 2025, up from 766 in 2024.

Supply chain issues, including engine shortages and delayed structural parts, continue to challenge production goals.

Airbus aims to reach a production rate of 75 A320 family aircraft monthly by 2027, while facing ongoing challenges with A220 and A350 production.

3. New Alaska Airlines Contract Delivers Double-Digit Wage Growth for Flight Attendants

Alaska Airlines' 6,900 flight attendants ratified a new three-year contract, with 95% approval and over 90% participation.

The agreement, effective March 2, includes immediate pay increases of 18.6-28.3%, boarding pay, retroactive pay, and maintains a 10.5-hour duty day.

Additional benefits include improved scheduling flexibility, insurance premium caps, and enhanced 401(k) matching.

This marks Alaska Air Group's eighth labor agreement in three years.

4. United Flight Diverts to Waco After Turbulence Injures Five Passengers

Five passengers were injured when a United Airlines flight from Springfield, Missouri to Houston encountered severe turbulence on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

The SkyWest-operated Flight 5690 made an emergency landing at Waco Regional Airport in Texas around 6:30 pm.

The injured passengers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The plane, carrying 31 people total, was one of three flights diverted to Waco due to strong storms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

5. Asia's Premier Business Aviation Event Debuts in Singapore This Week

The inaugural Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo (BAAFEx) 2025 kicks off tomorrow at Singapore's Changi Exhibition Centre, running March 4-6.

The event, dedicated exclusively to business and general aviation in Asia, will showcase the latest innovations with a focus on sustainability and efficiency.

Industry leaders, including Viasat, Honeywell, and Dassault Aviation, will participate.

6. British Engineering Firm Advances Plans to Divest Aerostructures Division

UK-based Senior Plc is in advanced negotiations with multiple parties to sell its Aerostructures business, a move first proposed in 2019.

The company aims to position itself as a leading fluid conveyance and thermal management specialist.

The Aerostructures unit is expected to turn profitable in 2025, generating £9-11 million in operating profit after losses in 2024.

Senior reported a 22% jump in pretax profit to £27.8 million for 2024, with overall revenue rising 1.4% to £977.1 million.

7. Air France Fleet Renewal Advances with ACG-Delivered A350-900

Aviation Capital Group delivered one Airbus A350-900 aircraft to Air France on February 28, 2025, as part of a multi-aircraft sale-leaseback transaction.

The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB Turbofan engines, represents ACG's first lease agreement with an airline to include sustainability-linked key performance indicators.

This delivery supports Air France's fleet transformation strategy, enhancing operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

8. Turkish Airlines Approaches 500-Aircraft Milestone in Global Expansion Strategy

Turkish Airlines is set to expand its fleet to 500 aircraft by September 2025, up from the current 492 planes.

This milestone continues the carrier's consistent growth pattern, having reached 100 aircraft in 2006, 200 in 2012, 300 in 2016, and 400 in 2023.

The airline plans further expansion to 813 aircraft by its centennial in 2033.

Currently serving 352 destinations across 131 countries, Turkish Airlines reported $22.7 billion in revenue for 2024, an 8% year-over-year increase, with cargo operations generating $3.5 billion, up 35% from 2023.

9. Japan Eyes C-17 Globemaster Aircraft to Bolster Self-Defense Forces

Japan intends to purchase secondhand C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft.

The proposal, welcomed by the US, aims to enhance Japan's tactical logistics capabilities while potentially easing US pressure to increase defense spending.

Ishiba, a former defense minister, has long advocated for C-17s due to their superior transport capacity compared to Japan's domestically produced C-2 aircraft.

Boeing ceased C-17 production in 2015, so Japan would acquire used planes if the purchase proceeds.

10. Airlines Seek Permanent Helicopter Restrictions Near Reagan After Deadly Crash

US airlines are pushing to permanently bar helicopters from certain routes near Reagan National Airport following a fatal collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025, which killed 67 people.

The FAA has already temporarily restricted helicopter flights in the area since January 31, with exceptions for police and medical helicopters.

A preliminary report on the crash is expected this month, while investigators continue examining factors including air traffic control and helicopter altitude.