American Airlines will push ahead with its orders for the grounded 737 MAX, despite its safety issues and the current coronavirus crisis.
In an interview with CNBC, chief executive Doug Parker said, “At this point, the new airplanes we have scheduled to come, we want. They’re great aircraft that will replace some of those aircraft that are leaving.
“We don’t have any intention of working with the manufacturers to defer or cancel any of those orders.”
AA currently has 24 grounded MAXs in its fleet, but with a total of 76 MAXs on order from Boeing, this would bring the total up to 100.
The new deliveries would round out an order placed for 100 of the aircraft by then-CEO Jim Albaugh.
Like many others at the time, Albaugh expressed confidence in the 737 MAX model, which has soured in many circles as the planes have stayed grounded for over a year.
Though some analysts have been surprised by Parker’s comments, the company has been one of a host of US airlines to benefit from roughly US$25 billion in payroll concessions.
His remarks also tally with a broader commitment within the industry to the 737 MAX; in late March, Boeing announced plans to potentially restart 737 MAX production by May.
