SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company said Wednesday that Australia's second largest air carrier has signed a new deal to convert orders for 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8 passenger jets to MAX 10 models to grow its single-aisle fleet.
Brisbane-based Virgin Australia Group, which has about 30 MAX 8 aircraft on order, saw the value of adding the MAX 10 to the mix as the aircraft will provide additional capacity and flexibility.
With more than 130 aircraft in service, the next-generation 737 jets has formed the backbone of the group's fleet as more than 80 are currently in operation and the 737 MAX is expected to bolster the group's overall strength.
"The addition of the 737 MAX 10 will provide us with additional flexibility and capability to support our network and operations," said Virgin Australia Group Chief Financial Officer Geoff Smith.
The Australia airline expects to take delivery of its first Max 10 in 2022, about three years after it takes the continent's first Max 8 in November 2019.
Up to now, the Boeing 737 MAX 10 variant, the largest of the MAX family, has gained over 500 orders and commitments from airlines all around the world.
Powered by Two CFM LEAP-1B engines, the MAX 10 airplane will offer operators the lowest cost per seat mile of any commercial aircraft and fly about 370 km farther than today's next-generation 737s, Boeing said.
The extended range means that the 737 MAX 10 will be able to cover 99 percent of single-aisle routes around the world, it added.
Virgin Australia is one of Boeing's more than 20 global customers that have placed over 500 orders and commitments for the MAX 10.
The Australian air carrier has taken delivery of its last five 737-800s on order earlier this year.
