Boeing readies 737 Max deliveries to China after 4-year halt
Boeing is preparing to restart delivery of 737 Max jets to China for the first time in four years, according to people familiar with the matter, a long-awaited breakthrough that would bolster the planemaker’s comeback from one of the worst crises in its history. The initial handovers are expected to take place within weeks, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential matters. This month, Boeing moved two of the single-aisle jets originally built for Chinese airlines out of storage. However, it wasn’t clear until now if those planes were destined for their original buyers, since Boeing has diverted some planes from inventory to alternate customers. China Southern, the country’s largest carrier, is poised to take the first 737 Max from Boeing, according to one of the people. Officials for China Southern didn’t response to requests for comment. The carrier led the way in resuming commercial Max flights earlier this year after Chinese officials lifted flying restrictions in place since March 2019 in the wake of two fatal Max crashes. Since then, nearly all of the Max jets imported by China prior to the tragedies have been returned to service. Boeing declined to comment on its interactions with China Southern. Shares of the US planemaker reversed earlier losses following Bloomberg’s report, rising as much as 3% in New York trading. “We continue to support our customers in China, with more than 95% of their current 737 MAX fleet in service,” the company said. “For deliveries, we will be ready to deliver for our customers when that time comes.” The 737 Max has been caught in a trade stalemate between the US and China, with the grounding extending in Boeing’s biggest overseas market long after much of the world cleared it for flight. The narrowbody jet is not only one of the largest US exports but Boeing’s main source of revenue and a critical component of CEO Dave Calhoun’s effort to restore profitability. The people cautioned that a diplomatic snag could still derail the resumption of 737 Max deliveries. <br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2023-08-28/general/boeing-readies-737-max-deliveries-to-china-after-4-year-halt
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Boeing readies 737 Max deliveries to China after 4-year halt
Boeing is preparing to restart delivery of 737 Max jets to China for the first time in four years, according to people familiar with the matter, a long-awaited breakthrough that would bolster the planemaker’s comeback from one of the worst crises in its history. The initial handovers are expected to take place within weeks, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential matters. This month, Boeing moved two of the single-aisle jets originally built for Chinese airlines out of storage. However, it wasn’t clear until now if those planes were destined for their original buyers, since Boeing has diverted some planes from inventory to alternate customers. China Southern, the country’s largest carrier, is poised to take the first 737 Max from Boeing, according to one of the people. Officials for China Southern didn’t response to requests for comment. The carrier led the way in resuming commercial Max flights earlier this year after Chinese officials lifted flying restrictions in place since March 2019 in the wake of two fatal Max crashes. Since then, nearly all of the Max jets imported by China prior to the tragedies have been returned to service. Boeing declined to comment on its interactions with China Southern. Shares of the US planemaker reversed earlier losses following Bloomberg’s report, rising as much as 3% in New York trading. “We continue to support our customers in China, with more than 95% of their current 737 MAX fleet in service,” the company said. “For deliveries, we will be ready to deliver for our customers when that time comes.” The 737 Max has been caught in a trade stalemate between the US and China, with the grounding extending in Boeing’s biggest overseas market long after much of the world cleared it for flight. The narrowbody jet is not only one of the largest US exports but Boeing’s main source of revenue and a critical component of CEO Dave Calhoun’s effort to restore profitability. The people cautioned that a diplomatic snag could still derail the resumption of 737 Max deliveries. <br/>
