ALASKA AIRLINES is negotiating for a fleet of new-generation Boeing 737s, following an apparent decision to sell off its large McDonnell Douglas (MDC) fleet and become all-Boeing by 2000.
If confirmed, the move will mean the end of MDC's long-running battle with Boeing to supply Alaska with new equipment. The rift began in 1993, when Alaska began to reduce orders and options for up to 40 MD-90s ordered in January 1990. Eventually, all MD-90 orders were dropped, although some were later converted to MD-80 orders. At the same time, it also ordered 20 737-400s from International Lease Finance, signalling the shift towards Boeing.
Alaska declines to comment on the negotiations, which are believed to revolve around the larger-capacity 737-800. It says, however: "We have always said that we're trying to simplify our fleet." The airline operates 77 aircraft, 46 of which are MD-80s. It also flies eight 737-200s and 23 -400s.
Further evidence of the trend away from MDC was revealed in May when Alaska's newest MD-80 (N978AS) flew directly from the Long Beach production line in California to Tramco's site at Paine Field, Everett, where it was repainted in Trans World Airways (TWA) colours and re-registered N951TW. The aircraft is the first of at least eight, which Alaska is selling to TWA.
Source: Flight International
