Red Sea Airlines has agreed to lease two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital, with deliveries due in July and August 2027. The Egypt-based carrier plans to use the aircraft in a broader fleet expansion programme that would take its fleet to 14 aircraft by 2028, supported by recent work with Boeing and wider operational investment.
The additional 737 MAX 8s are part of a staged growth plan that also includes capacity increases across training, maintenance, technology and operational capability. The airline has tied the expansion to its longer-term strategy of strengthening service and network resilience as it builds scale.
The move extends Red Sea Airlines’ relationship with Boeing after a separate recent agreement. It also comes as the carrier prepares for further fleet additions over the next two years, with the leased MAX 8s forming part of a larger order pipeline aimed at supporting future growth.