Delta to purchase nine MD-90s from JAL; seeks further acquisitions

Delta Air Lines stated it is acquiring nine used MD-90s from Japan Airlines Corp to replace older DC-9s being retired (Bloomberg, 04-Mar-2011). Deliveries will commence after the aircraft are refurbished to match Delta's fleet. VP Fleet Strategy Nat Pieper added that Delta will "continue to look for opportunities to acquire used MD-90s". The 160-seat MD-90s will be operated on domestic routes instead of the DC-9s, which have an average age of 34 years. Delta plans to purchase around 50 of the used MD-90 jets over the next two years stating it is a "very capital-efficient aircraft".