Santo Domingo.- Dominican ultra low-cost carrier Arajet has finalized a significant fleet expansion deal with global aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital, securing five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The agreement, structured as a Sale and Leaseback (SLB) transaction, is noteworthy as it introduces Arajet as a new client for SMBC, one of the world’s leading lessors.
Deliveries of the five state-of-the-art jets are scheduled for 2026 and 2027, providing crucial capacity as Arajet continues its aggressive network buildout across the Americas.
Commenting on the partnership, Conor Stafford, Head of Airline Marketing at SMBC Aviation Capital, expressed enthusiasm for the new relationship. “We are happy to partner with Arajet on this transaction and welcome them as a new SMBC Aviation Capital customer,” Stafford stated. He added, “This transaction marks the start of our collaboration, and we are confident that these aircraft will contribute significantly to Arajet’s success. This agreement reflects our dedication to providing tailored leasing solutions that meet our customers’ evolving needs.”
Víctor Pacheco Méndez, CEO of Arajet, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal. “We are thrilled to be expanding our fleet with the addition of these latest generation Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft,” Pacheco stated. He emphasized that “this agreement underpins our mission to offer safe, efficient, comfortable and affordable travel options across the Americas.” Pacheco also noted that “the confidence and collaboration demonstrated by SMBC Aviation Capital reflect the strength of Arajet’s business model and our shared commitment to innovation and sustainable growth in the aviation sector.”
The fleet expansion comes at a pivotal moment for Arajet, which recently made a fundamental move into the vital United States market. On April 11, the airline launched its inaugural flight connecting Santo Domingo with Miami. Arajet is also set to begin service to Newark (serving the New York area) and San Juan, Puerto Rico, in June 2025, with service set to reach up to 25 weekly flights to the U.S. during the peak summer season. The initial launch generated a strong positive response, with considerable ticket sales reported in the opening days.
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