FlyDubai Looking Leasing Options After Further 737 Max Delay

(Bloomberg) -- FlyDubai, the second biggest customer for Boeing Co.’s grounded 737 Max, is looking for leasing options after the U.S. manufacturer said the plane won’t be cleared to fly until the middle of this year.

“We are looking at short- to medium-term leasing options to add more capacity for the coming few months,” FlyDubai said in a statement. “The discussions with Boeing regarding compensation are ongoing.“

Boeing Max Buyer Flydubai Says Grounding Has Set It Back 5 Years

The Gulf carrier has previously warned its operations will shrink to 2014 levels if the plane doesn’t return to service soon. In an attempt to add capacity, FlyDubai has extended its wet lease agreement for four Boeing 737 NG aircraft by a month till Feb. 29.

The sister carrier of long-haul Emirates has pulled 14 Max planes when the jetliner was grounded and has a total order of 251 jets.

Boeing Sees 737 Max Return Slipping to Midyear, Adding to Strain

To contact the reporter on this story: Layan Odeh in Dubai at lodeh3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Claudia Maedler at cmaedler@bloomberg.net, Shaji Mathew

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