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Old August 12th 19, 03:18 AM posted to alt.binaries.pictures.aviation
Miloch
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Default The 737 MAX Grounding Is Such A Disaster That Airlines Are Leasing 30-Year-Old 737-200s

https://jalopnik.com/the-737-max-gro...nes-1837144886

With hundreds of 737 MAX planes still on the ground following two fatal crashes,
airlines are frantically trying to lease available 737s to fill gaps left by the
MAX. They’re so desperate that they’re leasing 737-200s, a variant that was
discontinued in 1988.

That means that the newest 737-200s are 31 years old, while the plane itself was
introduced 54 years ago. But, according to a new report by CNBC, airlines are
willing to accept ancient planes if it means avoiding route cancellations.

The most in-demand models, aviation consultant Phil Seymour told CNBC, are the
737-800s. Like the -600, -700 and the -900, the -800 is a member of Boeings 737
Next Generation lineup. The -800 is still in production today, making it more
common among air carriers and easier to lease into their operations.

The 737-200, on the other hand, has not been used by any American airline for
quite some time. Southwest, an all-737 airline, retired its -200s in 2005.
According to the latest airliner census, only 38 737-200s were in service
worldwide as of last summer.

Nolinor Aviation operates 10 of those -200s. While the plane’s low-bypass
engines are less efficient and make the -200 undesirable for most mainline
operations, the small engine openings allow the -200 to be fitted with a “gravel
kit” that deflects debris. With a gravel kit fitted, the 737-200 can land on
unpaved airstrips.

That’s why the -200 remains in service with airlines like Nolinor that serve
remote locations in Canada. The -200 also is used in some developing nations, as
it’s one of only a few commercial jet aircraft that can use unpaved airstrips.

But for most airlines, the old 737s are inefficient stopgaps. Brazil’s GOL
Airlines, CNBC reported, now has to stop in the Dominican Republic on its
flights to Florida operated by the older jets. The 737 MAX would have been able
to fly these routes nonstop

That’s a small sacrifice, though, to ensure that more deadly crashes don’t
occur. And while airlines are sick of cutting routes or losing money, it won’t
be a problem for much longer. Bloomberg reported in June that the FAA expects
the 737 MAX to be flying again by December.





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