IAG
Deal Gives Major Boost for
Beleaguered Boeing Max
The
737 Max program received a huge vote of confidence
from one of the world’s most
influential airlines yesterday
at the Paris Air Show, when International
Airlines Group
(IAG) inked a letter of intent covering 200 Max 8s and Max
10s
worth more than $24 billion at list prices. Appearing at
the show with Boeing
Company CEO Dennis Muilenburg
and Boeing CEO Kevin McAllister, IAG CEO Willie
Walsh
said the group would place the new Max jets mainly with
subsidiaries
British Airways, Vueling, and Level and fly
them primarily out of London Gatwick
Airport.
Walsh
added that the group would consider using the Max
as a means to diversify the
future fleet to spur competition.
Walsh characterized the negotiations as
“tough,” but that
he thought the sides had reached a fair conclusion.
“Like
everybody, I’ve been paying close attention to what’s
been happening with the
aircraft since the tragic events
with both Lion Air and Ethiopian,” he noted in
response to
a question about his confidence in the airplane. “We have
every
confidence in Boeing and expect that the aircraft will
make a successful return
to service in the coming months.”
Boeing
has promised to deliver the first airplane in 2023,
but Walsh commented he would
hope it could arrive in 2022.
“We continue to work with Boeing on that,” he
said.
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