Copa Airlines Considers Dropping 737-10 Orders
Copa Airlines is reconsidering its fleet strategy and may opt not to exercise its options for fifteen Boeing 737-10s, according to CEO Pedro Heilbron. Instead, the Panamanian flag carrier could continue focusing on its current mix of Boeing 737-8s and 737-9s.
“It may well be that we stay with the Boeing 737-8 and Boeing 737-9 combination; that’s yet to be decided,” Heilbron told FlightGlobal. He noted that the airline is still evaluating its long-term requirements but emphasized simplicity and efficiency in fleet planning.
Copa currently operates 107 aircraft, including nine Boeing 737-700s, eight 737-8s with sixteen more on order, fifty-eight 737-800s, and thirty-two 737-9s, according to ch-aviation data. Its subsidiaries add further capacity, with Copa Airlines Colombia flying nine 737-800s and Wingo operating two 737-800 freighters.
The airline has also evaluated the smaller Boeing 737-7, which remains uncertified, but Heilbron indicated there are no firm plans to introduce it. “It is a nice aircraft, but we try hard to limit the number of different configurations we have because it adds complexity,” he said.
In the medium term, Copa may consider the 737-7 as a replacement for its nine aging 737-700s, but the CEO stressed that adding another aircraft type is unlikely for now.
The potential shift highlights Copa’s focus on operational efficiency, as it weighs the benefits of introducing new aircraft types against the challenges of maintaining a streamlined fleet.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com