American eyes 737 Max delivery deferrals

American Airlines expects to defer up to 18 Boeing 737 Max deliveries in the coming years but still anticipates acquiring 18 new Max from Boeing this year. The company is also deferring delivery of some Airbus A321s, American president Robert Isom says on 12 November. American currently has 24 737 Max in its fleet – all in storage due to the type’s grounding. Additionally, Boeing has in its inventory another 16 737 Max that it produced for American but, due to the grounding, has not yet delivered, says American. American intends to take delivery of those aircraft, plus another two it has on order, starting when the Federal Aviation Administration lifts the type’s grounding. Boeing predicts that will happen before year end. “Those 18 aircraft – we want them to come in,” Isom says, speaking during a transportation conference hosted by financial services company Baird. American reached a settlement with Boeing related to the delayed delivery of those jets, he adds.<br/>