Delta Air Lines committed to buying five used Boeing 757-200 aircraft in the first quarter, even as it continues to remove the majority of the type from its fleet.
The Atlanta-based carrier disclosed the “purchase commitment” in a quarterly filing on 15 April. It also has commitments for 45 Airbus A321s, 10 Airbus A330-300s, 25 Airbus A330-900neos, 25 Airbus A350-900s, three Boeing 717-200s that it is buying used from Blue1, 63 Boeing 737-900ERs and 18 Boeing 787-8s.
The 757-200s are likely newer vintage models capable of longer flights across the Atlantic and to northern South America. Delta and other US carriers are replacing 757s used for shorter-haul routes with A321s and 737-900ERs.
Delta was not immediately available for comment on the deal.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments increased 7.9% to $3.57 billion at the airline during the first three months of 2015. Cash was down 2.5% compared to the end of March 2014.
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations decreased 2.9% to $8.31 billion during the quarter. Debt was down 12% from the first quarter of 2014.
Delta paid $260 million in debt and capital lease principal during the first quarter, its quarterly filing shows.
Capital expenditures were $586 million during the period, with the majority related to aircraft.
Full year aircraft capital expenditures are expected to total $2.8 billion in 2015.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
