Sunwing, Air Lease Corporation sign $350 million deal for six aircraft

Sunwing Airlines has confirmed that a $350 million deal has been finalized with Air Lease Corporation to supply the carrier with two Boeing 737-800 and four 737 MAX 8 aircraft over a four year period commencing in early 2016.

According to a release from Sunwing, the deal represents the largest single financial investment that the company has ever made to increase and upgrade its airplanes; once delivery has been taken, the airline's fleet will number 22 year-round aircraft.

This latest generation aircraft is also expected to reduce fuel usage and CO2 emissions by 14 per cent, and  the 737 MAX 8 will also feature the latest quiet engine technology and enhanced cabin including new sculpted sidewalls, pivoting overhead storage bins and speakers built into each row's passenger service unit.

New destinations that feature within Sunwing Airlines enhanced flight schedule for the coming winter include the Caribbean island of St Lucia and the UNESCO-recognized Colombian city of Cartagena. Several new gateways are also operational from this season, notably Buffalo, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio. There has also been an increase in the number of direct connections offered to popular vacation destinations. For the first time this winter, the Cuban island of Cayo Santa Maria will benefit from direct connections to 17 Canadian airports, while the Mexican tourist resort of Cancun is now accessible from over 20 different gateways, with direct services from Buffalo, Val d'Or, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie also being added this winter.