Singapore Air expands Boeing 777X order in boost to Jumbo’s heir

Singapore Airlines is swapping some of its Boeing wide-body jetliner orders for the larger 777X, giving a boost to the model as part of an agreement to slow near-term deliveries from the US planemaker. The airline will pare commitments for the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner by 14 planes, while adding 11 777-9s to its existing order, according to a statement Tuesday. The change brings Singapore Airlines’ total orders to 31 for Boeing’s largest aircraft, a vote of confidence in the heir to the manufacturer’s iconic 747 jumbo. The move, combined with an earlier agreement to defer Airbus deliveries, will delay more than S$4b ($3b) in capital spending, Singapore Airlines said. With the latest agreement, Singapore Airlines’ expenditure on aircraft will fall every year until March 2024. For the current fiscal year, its spending will drop to S$2.8b from S$5b. The carrier didn’t provide further detail on delivery timing by aircraft type. “We are honored that Singapore Airlines is reaffirming its commitment to the 777-9,” Boeing said.<br/>