SEATTLE: Boeing Co lost another 12 orders for its grounded 737 MAX jetliner last month, and delivered 13 aircraft to customers, down from the 20 jets delivered in the same month a year ago, company data showed yesterday.
For the second straight month, the closely watched monthly snapshot revealed 787 Dreamliner quality flaws and the coronavirus pandemic kept hampering Boeing’s efforts to develop an alternative cash cow to the 737 MAX.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appeared about a week away from lifting a March 2019 safety ban, although the pandemic kept hammering demand for jets from Boeing and European rival Airbus.
Airbus sold 11 jets last month and booked 72 jet deliveries, easing concerns over a cash-depleting overhang of unwanted jets.
The European Union’s decision to impose tariffs of 15 per cent on Boeing planes this week could hobble its jet deliveries in Europe.
Boeing said it lost orders for four 737 MAX jets 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.
Cancelled MAX orders, including those where buyers converted to a different model, was 448 jets – and 460 for all jets across Boeing’s portfolio, Boeing said.
For 2020 through October, the number of MAX orders canceled, or removed from Boeing’s official backlog when it applies stricter accounting standards, stood at 1,043 aircraft.
&uuid=(email))