Canada Jetlines partnered with AerCap and signed a definitive lease agreement for two Airbus A320 aircraft, effective June 12, 2018. Delivery of the two aircraft is expected by the first half of 2019.

AerCap’s President and Chief Commercial Officer Philip Scruggs said, “We are very pleased to welcome our new customer airline, Jetlines and particularly pleased to play a role in the start-up of their new operations. We wish the board and management team every success and we look forward to working with the Jetlines team as they begin operations.”

Incoming CEO Lukas Johnson stated, “AerCap has a proven reputation of leasing high-quality aircraft and we look forward to continuing to build a positive relationship with them. Through my experience with Airbus, I believe that these planes are the right aircraft to commence operations with. The majority of ultra-low cost carriers worldwide operate with the Airbus A320 fleet based on its fuel-efficient narrow-body framework that supports a high-density seat configuration.”

The two committed Airbus A320’s are sister aircraft, having virtually identical conformity in design, features and equipment, allowing Canada Jetlines to expedite the necessary training and maintenance processes to commence operations at an earlier date. The sister aircraft are 12 years old.

Canada Jetlines Executive Chairman Mark Morabito said, “Our operations team has worked diligently on securing quality aircraft, carrying out a meticulous vetting process to ensure that the aircraft are fit for Jetlines and our future passengers. I am pleased to report that we are now positioned to carry out the remainder of work to complete our licencing process and that we are continuing to advance our financing initiatives, personnel recruitment, and airport agreements.”

The pre-existing purchase agreement with Boeing for the 737-MAX’s for delivery in 2023 remains in place. Canada Jetlines plans to use the Airbus planes to support its start-up operations and is not limited from securing a Boeing fleet in the future.