Hawaiian Airlines is considering alternative narrowbody aircraft, including Boeing MD-80s, as the future of its Boeing 717-200 fleet remains in limbo.
Hawaiian - operating under bankruptcy protection - and Boeing Capital have been trying to renegotiate leases on 13 717-200s and three Boeing 767-300ERs since the carrier filed for Chapter 11 protection in March. Hawaiian says its trustee is talking to Boeing Capital, but is considering other lessors.
"We're going to have negotiations [with Boeing] on lease terms about these jets. Depending on the outcome, we may or may not need an alternative," the carrier says.
Hawaiian also operates seven Ansett Worldwide 767-300ERs and four International Lease Finance (ILFC) 767-300ERs. But the court overseeing Hawaiian's bankruptcy has already approved new lease terms for these aircraft. So it is nearly certain the 767 will be the carrier's widebody aircraft if it can emerge from bankruptcy.
Boeing Capital says it still hopes to forge new deals for all 16 of its aircraft at Hawaiian.
Source: Flight International
