TORONTO — Sunwing Airlines confirmed that a deal worth $350 million has been finalized with Air Lease Corporation to supply the carrier with two Boeing 737-800 and four 737 MAX 8 aircraft over a four-year period commencing in early 2016.

The deal represents the largest single financial investment that the company has ever made to increase and upgrade its airplanes; once delivery has been taken the airline’s fleet will number 22 year-round aircraft.

Already recognized for fuel efficiency, Sunwing Airlines recently became the second carrier in the world to commercially fly with Blended Winglets on its 737-800s after retrofitting its entire fleet with Split Scimitar Winglets which both reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption.

The addition of the 737 MAX 8 will only serve to improve the company’s eco footprint even further. As this latest generation aircraft is expected to reduce fuel usage and CO² emissions by 14% when compared to the most fuel efficient, single-aisle airplanes currently on the market. In addition, the 737 MAX 8 will also benefit from the latest quiet engine technology and enhanced cabin including new sculpted sidewalls, pivoting overhead storage bins and speakers built into each row’s passenger service unit.

President of Sunwing Airlines, Mark Williams, said “the acquisition of our new Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft is an integral part of our overall expansion plan across an increasing number of both Canadian and U.S. gateways. This year we will be operating flights out of 45 Canadian and U.S. local airports to over 40 different destinations across North and South America, and the Caribbean. As we continue to grow, having aircraft that will enable us to offer a reliable, cost-effective and environmentally-conscious service is paramount.”

New destinations that feature within Sunwing Airlines’ enhanced flight schedule for the coming winter include the Caribbean island of St Lucia and the UNESCO-recognized Colombian city of Cartagena. Several new gateways are also operational from this season notably Buffalo and Cincinnati.

There has also been an increase in the number of direct connections offered to popular vacation destinations. For the first time this winter, the Cuban island of Cayo Santa Maria will benefit from direct connections to 17 Canadian airports, while the Mexican tourist resort of Cancun is now accessible from over 20 different gateways with direct services from Buffalo, Val d’Or, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie also being added this winter.