Top Airlines Leading in Fleet Expansion in 2023

In the year 2023, a total of 1,345 commercial aircraft were delivered, signifying a steady recovery from the pandemic-related supply chain issues. Among these aircraft deliveries, several airlines stood out for their significant fleet expansion efforts. Here are the top airlines that added the most aircraft to their fleets in 2023:

Turkish Airlines: 29 Aircraft

• Turkish Airlines has been actively expanding its operations, including routes to Asia and Oceania, and is planning the spin-off of its low-cost subsidiary, AnadoluJet (soon to be AJet).
• The airline took delivery of 29 aircraft in 2023, including Airbus A320neo family jets, Airbus A350-900 widebodies, and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
• Turkish Airlines currently operates 421 aircraft and has a substantial number of orders for future deliveries.

Alaska Airlines: 36 Aircraft

• Alaska Airlines and its regional subsidiary, Horizon Air, added a total of 36 aircraft to their fleets in 2023.
• This includes 28 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft for Alaska Airlines and eight Embraer ERJ 175LR regional jets for Horizon Air.
• The carrier may further expand its fleet if its planned acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines is approved by regulators.

Delta Air Lines: 39 Aircraft

• Delta Air Lines focused on renewing its fleet in 2023 by adding narrowbody A320neo and A220 family aircraft.
• The airline received 26 A321neos, seven A220-300s, and six widebody A330-900s, contributing to a reduction in its fleet’s average age.

IndiGo: 46 Aircraft

• IndiGo, the largest Airbus A320neo operator globally, continued to expand its narrowbody fleet.
• The airline added 39 more A320neo and A321neo aircraft, in addition to seven new ATR 72-600 turboprops for regional operations.

Ryanair: 50 Aircraft

• Ryanair added 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft to its fleet, with plans to take delivery of a total of 227 of these aircraft by 2025.
• The carrier focused on enhancing its fleet with the higher-density MAX 8-200 variant.

United Airlines: 78 Aircraft

• United Airlines made efforts to replace its aging aircraft, including Airbus A320ceo, Boeing 737 Next Generation, and Boeing 757 models.
• Deliveries primarily consisted of A321neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft, along with two Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners.

Southwest Airlines: 86 Aircraft

• Southwest Airlines led in fleet expansion in 2023 by adding 86 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, solidifying its position as the largest 737 MAX operator.
• The carrier is focused on modernizing its fleet, with a significant backlog of future orders.

These airlines have played a pivotal role in boosting their fleets and expanding their operations in 2023, contributing to the recovery and growth of the aviation industry.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, simpleflying.com