Market Presence. There can be no ignoring the vast number of operators and the suitability of the type to a wide range of operations. Although production may have ceased a decade ago, the proven reliability of the type combined with relatively low maintenance costs ensured that the type remained a relative mainstream type. The B737-300 can still give the competition a run for its money. Unfortunately, operators now consider the relative youth of their aircraft an important marketing advantage, suggesting that continued technical capability may not be enough. The high price of fuel is also causing operators to consider alternative types sooner than might have otherwise been the case. A number of -300s have been parted out and those in lesser condition will continue to be ferried to the junkyard. Those aircraft in long term storage may never emerge, whatever the wider demand. Those aircraft featuring the analog cockpit will be most exposed as operators seek to reduce operating costs through optimum flying.
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