Boeing loses more MAX orders as recertification looms

Boeing lost another 12 orders on its embattled 737 MAX aircraft in October, despite the fact its impending recertification could materialise within days.

Overall, Boeing delivered 13 aircraft to customers in October, up three from September, and the highest number of monthly deliveries seen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. 

The company delivered just four jets at its lowest points, in both May and July this year.

According to Boeing, it lost four 737 MAX orders from China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co, one from Czech Airlines owner Smartwings, three from Oman Air, and four from an undisclosed buyer or buyers.

737 MAX orders now make up 448 of Boeing’s total 460 cancelled orders, including those converted to other aircraft models.

In terms of deliveries, all 13 aircraft delivered in October were twin-aisle jets, including a number of freighter conversions.

October deliveries included: one P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, one 747 and three 767 freighters to United Parcel Service, two 777 freighters to China Cargo Airlines, one 777 to German logistics company DHL, and one 777-300ER to Dubai-headquartered Novus Aviation Capital, Boeing said.

The US planemaker also delivered 787s in October: one 787-8 to American Airlines, one 787-9 to leasing giant AerCap, one 787-10 to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, and one 787-10 Saudi Arabian Airlines.

October’s result brings Boeing’s total deliveries for 2020 so far to 111, down from 321 in the same period last year. No new orders were placed for Boeing jets in October.

Meanwhile, Airbus last month announced that it had sold 11 new jets, and booked 72 deliveries.

Despite the current mounting momentum in aircraft deliveries for Boeing, future deliveries are likely to be impacted following the European Union’s decision to impose tariffs of 15 per cent on the planemaker’s aircraft sales.

It comes following the news that the US Federal Aviation Administration is likely just days away from officially signing off on the MAX’s recertification, which would lift the 19-month grounding order that has been placed on the jet.

The news is a welcome relief for Boeing, as it continues to wade through tough conditions, in light of the MAX fiasco, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a number of recently discovered 787 Dreamliner manufacturing flaws.