Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR, Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery) has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the dry lease of seven new-build B737-8 MAX jets for delivery in 2023 (three) and 2024 (four).

According to tender documents, the state-owned carrier is looking at 12-year-long operating leases. The jets must feature CFM International LEAP-1B engines with a 1B27 rating with a minimum of 180 minutes ETOPS. They must also have a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 82,190 kilograms. In terms of configuration, eligible jets should feature 12 premium and 162 economy class seats.

The tender is open to all lessors, commercial banks, and financial institutions with submissions due by 2359L (0259+1Z) on August 25, 2022.

Aerolineas currently operates six MAX 8s of which two are leased from Lesue Finance AB, three from Aviation Capital Group, and one from Air Lease Corporation. It also has another eight due directly from Boeing (BOE, Washington National), the ch-aviation Commercial Aviation Aircraft Data module shows.