FlyDubai Looking Leasing Options After Further 737 Max Delay

A Boeing Co. 737 MAX8 aircraft, operated by FlyDubai
A Boeing Co. 737 MAX8 aircraft, operated by FlyDubai, stands on the tarmac during the 15th Dubai Air Show at Dubai World Central (DWC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. Photographer: Natalie Naccache/Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) –FlyDubai, the second biggest customer for Boeing Co.’s grounded 737 Max, is looking for leasing options after the U.S. manufacturer said the plane won’t be cleared to fly until the middle of this year.

“We are looking at short- to medium-term leasing options to add more capacity for the coming few months,” FlyDubai said in a statement. “The discussions with Boeing regarding compensation are ongoing.“

The Gulf carrier has previously warned its operations will shrink to 2014 levels if the plane doesn’t return to service soon. In an attempt to add capacity, FlyDubai has extended its wet lease agreement for four Boeing 737 NG aircraft by a month till Feb. 29.

The sister carrier of long-haul Emirates has pulled 14 Max planes when the jetliner was grounded and has a total order of 251 jets.