Air Lease placed six new 737 MAX 8s with CFM Leap-1B engines on long-term lease to LOT Polish Airlines. In addition to the six firm lease placements, the agreement includes the option to lease five new 737 MAX 8s, to be confirmed by early 2017. All 11 aircraft are from ALC’s order book with Boeing.

Delivery of the first two firmly-contracted aircraft will begin in the Q4/17, the next two in 2018, one in 2019 and the sixth aircraft will deliver in or before Q1/20. The optioned aircraft are expected to deliver in 2019 and 2020.

“We are very pleased to announce these 737 MAX 8 lease placements with LOT, a transaction that again demonstrates ALC’s strong airline market presence in Europe,” said Steven Udvar-Házy, executive chairman of Air Lease. “The new technologies in the MAX 8 aircraft will bring an increased level of efficiency and passenger comfort to LOT that will greatly enhance the airline’s competitive capabilities.”

“LOT is Poland’s national flag carrier with more than 85 years in operation, and we at ALC are pleased with being selected by the airline to modernize its fleet and help develop its expanding network of connections,” said Alex Khatibi, Air Lease’s executive vice president. “We are looking forward to a strong relationship with the LOT team as they execute their growth strategy.”

The new 737 MAX 8 aircraft will be used by LOT to increase frequencies and add new destinations on LOT’s European and Eurasian route network.

“We are thrilled to enter into these lease agreements with Air Lease Corporation. The addition of these new aircraft to our fleet represents a significant step toward achieving sustainable viability as we gradually grow, simplify and standardize our target fleet and launch new flights,” said Rafal Milczarski, CEO of LOT Polish Airlines. “Specifically, Boeing’s 737-8 MAX 8 offers advancements in both technology and passenger experience critical for enhanced reliability and customer service.”

LOT has one of the youngest fleets in Europe and was the first European airline to introduce into service the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. LOT estimates that in 2020 it will operate a total of approximately 70 aircraft, including 16 Dreamliners and approximately 15 new single-aisle planes with 150-plus seating capacity.