South African leasing company Safair has ordered 10 Boeing 737 Next Generation airliners and is to work with the US manufacturer and engine supplier CFM International to expand its third-party maintenance services.
The 737s will be delivered over the next six years to Safair, which specialises in leasing to African carriers. Safair's deal with Boeing and CFMI will see the manufacturers invest in spares and training, initially on the 737NG family.
Air Namibia, meanwhile, has signed a deal with Safair for the sale and lease back of the Windhoek-based carrier's single 737-200 and the lease of a second 737-200.
The South African company has not specified which variants of the NG will be acquired but Air Namibia's deal with Safair includes an option to convert one of the 737-200s to a 737-700. Safair is also to provide maintenance.
Air Namibia says it will receive the additional 737-200 in early November for use on its regional routes to Cape Town and Johannesburg and for a new route to be operated with Uganda Airlines to Entebbe.
The carrier is also in talks to acquire a second 747-400 Combi.
Source: Flight International
