Air Aqua 737 300

Air Aqua first purchased the 737-300 in 1985 and the aircraft became a very important addition to modernize from the now aging DC-9. The aircraft offered to fill many of the longer range routes served by the DC-9 to save on fuel and promote efficiency, saving the airline from near bankruptcy after the 1970s oil crisis. The airline had failed to purchase more fuel efficient aircraft during the decade and was eventually won over by Boeing when they announced their updated versions of the now popular 737. The company placed their bids for ten of the type and began receiving the new aircraft a year after release. The 737-300 became so popular with the airline that Air Aqua later placed 14 orders for the larger 737-400. These two types would serve the airline well into the 2010s, with the -300s at 80 percent retirement and the -400s at 40 percent retirement. The livery featured on the aircraft was developed in 1983 after the orders for the 737-300 were placed and was unveiled in the later months of that same year.

There was only one incident involved with the 737-300. On Air Aqua flight 76 from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Nassau, James Nelson, an 65 year old man returning to the Bahamas after a snorkeling trip, suffered a heart attack midflight. Flight attendants were able to stabilize his condition using an on board defibrillator and the aircraft diverted safely to George Town in the Cayman Islands. Mr. Nelson later passed in the hospital due to complications with surgery. The flight attendants on the flight were awarded for their bravery and response. The aircraft involved was registered C6-DFR

The aircraft featured, 737-300 registered C6-DLU was delivered on November 9 1986
MSN: 27518
Config: C6Y142
Powerplant: X2 CFMI 56-3
Retired: April 26 2016