CIT announces order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

Boeing and CIT Group announced (19-Jun-2013) an order for 30 737 MAX 8s. The order is comprised of 10 new incremental aircraft and conversions of 20 existing 737NG orders. Delivery dates were not disclosed. The 737 MAX is scheduled to enter service in 2017. CIT Transportation Finance president C Jeffrey Knittel said the addition of the aircraft "ensures that CIT Aerospace maintains one of the youngest and most fuel efficient fleets". As of the end of Mar-2013, CIT owned or financed a fleet of approximately 350 commercial aircraft, including operating lease and financing agreements in place for 128 Boeing aircraft. The 30 737 MAX 8 aircraft will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines. The engine order is valued at USD760 million at list price. The LEAP-1B is on schedule for CFM flight testing in 2015 and engine certification in 2016. [more - original PR - Boeing] [more - original PR - CIT Group] [more - original PR - CFM International]