Miami-based start-up Eastern Air Lines Group has signed an “initial” order for 10 Boeing 737-800s and with purchase rights for 10 more 737 Max 8 in a deal with potential combined value of $1.95 billion at list prices.

“We will now proudly have the Boeing 737 Next Generation and eventually the Max aircraft, as our fleet standard,” says Edward Wegel, president and chief executive of Eastern Air Lines.

Eastern Air Lines Group has acquired the intellectual property of the former Eastern Air Lines, which operated as a Miami-based network carrier from 1928 to 1991, according to the company.

The order for Boeing aircraft appears to mark a shift in fleet strategy for the start-up company.

Eastern Air Lines Group filed an application on 28 January with the US Department of Transportation for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

The application included a business case to re-launch the carrier as a Miami-based charter airliner operating a fleet of Airbus A320s.

The company was not immediately available to respond to questions about the order.

Source: Cirium Dashboard