SMBC Aviation Capital Orders 100 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft, Including First-Ever 737-10 Purchase
SMBC Aviation Capital has placed an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, comprising 60 Boeing 737-10s and 40 Boeing 737-8s, significantly expanding its narrowbody fleet portfolio to meet rising global demand for fuel-efficient aircraft. The agreement, announced on July 20 during the Farnborough International Airshow, marks the lessor’s first-ever order for the Boeing 737-10.
The deal is also the largest single order for the Boeing 737-10 by an aircraft leasing company, reflecting growing market confidence in the largest variant of the 737 MAX family. Airlines are increasingly seeking higher-capacity, single-aisle aircraft to improve efficiency and support expanding passenger demand.
With this latest acquisition, SMBC Aviation Capital will increase its owned, managed, and committed Boeing 737 MAX portfolio to 450 aircraft, further strengthening its position among the world’s leading aircraft leasing companies.
Peter Barrett, Chief Executive Officer of SMBC Aviation Capital, described the agreement as a major milestone for the company. He said the order would provide airline customers with long-term access to next-generation aircraft while reinforcing the company’s two-decade partnership with Boeing. Barrett added that increasing demand for the 737-10 reflects airlines’ preference for larger, more fuel-efficient aircraft that can support their growth plans over the coming years.
The Boeing 737-10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family, can accommodate up to 230 passengers and has a range of approximately 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 kilometres). Boeing states that the aircraft delivers the lowest operating cost per seat among its single-aisle aircraft, making it particularly suitable for high-density domestic and regional routes.
The addition of the 737-10 will further diversify SMBC Aviation Capital’s portfolio, enabling the lessor to offer airline customers greater access to larger-capacity, fuel-efficient aircraft as global air travel continues its steady recovery.
Stephanie Pope, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, welcomed the order, stating that SMBC Aviation Capital’s continued confidence in Boeing and the 737 MAX family reflects strong market demand for the aircraft’s efficiency, reliability, and operational versatility. She noted that the agreement also marks the lessor’s first order for the 737-10.
SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world’s leading aviation finance companies, managing a fleet of approximately 1,700 aircraft leased to more than 170 airlines worldwide. Backed by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Sumitomo Corporation, the company maintains a modern portfolio, with around 80% of its owned fleet consisting of new-generation aircraft by net book value.
According to Boeing’s long-term market forecast, global passenger traffic is expected to grow by around 4% annually over the next 20 years, driving sustained demand for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Leasing companies are expected to play an increasingly important role by providing airlines with flexible access to next-generation fleets.
Collectively, aircraft lessors have ordered more than 1,450 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, representing around 20% of the programme’s total order backlog, highlighting the continued importance of leasing companies in supporting the global commercial aviation industry.
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