Qantas has agreed to sell 44 Boeing 737NGs and 88 CFM56-7B engines to UK-based aviation aftermarket specialist AerFin as the airline plans the retirement of most of its 737 fleet. Transfers will take place over seven years, with the first aircraft due to leave Qantas later in 2026. The staged schedule allows the airline to adjust retirements as replacement aircraft arrive; its 737s will remain in service during the transition.
AerFin described the acquisition as the largest transaction in its history. The aircraft and engines will support its airline and maintenance, repair and overhaul customers globally. The sale price has not been disclosed.
Qantas operates 79 Boeing 737-800s, according to Aviation Week’s fleet database. It has ordered 48 Airbus A321XLRs to replace the type on domestic routes; seven had been delivered, with 41 still on order. Qantas Domestic chief executive Markus Svensson said the agreement provides flexibility to align the retirement schedule with deliveries. The airline expects its 737s to continue flying for several years alongside its newer aircraft.