US-based Air Lease (ALC) has finalised a previously announced order to purchase 12 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing.

The new deal will bring ALC’s total MAX aircraft on order to 130 and comprises five 737 MAX 7 aircraft and seven 737 MAX 8 planes.

It also includes two new orders for Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and will increase ALC’s total Dreamliner order to 49.

Once delivered, the new 787-9 will be able to provide long-range performance capabilities to ALC's airline customers.

"These additional orders reflect ALC's highly successful placements to date of our MAX and 787 order book."

ALC president and CEO John Plueger said: “These additional orders reflect ALC's highly successful placements to date of our MAX and 787 order book, and the need to fulfil the incremental demand we are experiencing for these aircraft across both existing and new customers for ALC.”

Boeing’s 737 MAX family of aircraft is equipped with CFM International’s LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other improvements.

In a separate development, ALC has placed an order with CFM International for its LEAP-1B engine, which will power the 12 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Deliveries of the $348m order are expected to begin by 2022.

Regarding the order, Plueger said: “The LEAP-1B powered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is a key element in our portfolio.

“These advanced technology engines are delivering 15% better fuel-efficiency and world-class reliability, both of which are paramount to the operational stability and success of our airline customers.”

A total of 18 airlines is currently using the LEAP family of engines to power more than 85 aircraft worldwide.

Image: Aircraft in Air Lease livery. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.