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Virgin Australia has announced that it has ordered 23 737MAX 8s from Boeing, worth over $2 billion at list prices. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2019 and conclude two years later although the airline said that “the agreement includes four additional delivery options, ensuring flexibility to respond to market conditions”.

In its announcement, Virgin Australia said that it has deferred deliveries of some 737NGs until after 2016 to give it the flexibility to ensure an appropriate mix of narrow and wide bodied aircraft. The exact number of delayed aircraft was not specified but the deliveries of 31 737-800s remain as planned, 2013 through to 2016.

All the 737-700s in its fleet are expected to be retired by the end of next year.