The Boeing 717 will be the foundation for new European low-cost airline, Volotea, with a long-term lease deal announced on February 15th, between Boeing and the airline’s management. Volotea has taken delivery of its first 717-200 airplane from Boeing Capital Corporation, the manufacturers’ financing and leasing arm. The operator plans to begin its new European point-to-point service with an all-717 fleet in time for this year’s Easter travel season. Under a multi-year arrangement, Boeing will begin additional deliveries in March of this year. The number of aircraft involved in the arrangement was not disclosed.
In a comprehensive customer solution, Boeing Commercial Aviation Services will provide operational manuals and its Maintenance Performance Toolbox product. In addition, pilot training will be conducted at Boeing training campuses, including in Stockholm, Sweden. Volotea will also have a Boeing Virtual Procedures Trainer (VPT) at its Barcelona facility, allowing greater scheduling flexibility while reducing pilot training cost.
