Summary
- United Airlines is near finalizing a deal for greater than 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft as a substitute for the delayed Boeing 737 MAX 10.
- The A321s can be scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2027, in accordance with a report.
- Boeing is facing challenges with repeated delays and issues with its 737 MAX, forcing United Airlines to think about replacing some MAX 10s with A321s.
There’s only so long that airlines can wait to accommodate production delays for aircraft they plan to take a position their future in. And it appears that evidently United Airlines has decided to take its business elsewhere, with a report suggesting that it’s near finalizing a deal for greater than 30 Airbus A321 aircraft as a substitute for the Boeing 737 MAX 10.
Out there for A321neos
In keeping with a report by Bloomberg, United Airlines is nearing a cope with aircraft lessors to amass around three dozen Airbus A321neo planes as a substitute for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, which currently awaits certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
Sources have revealed that the discussions are in the ultimate stages, and a deal might be closed soon. If and when an agreement is finalized, the A321s can be scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2027. Earlier this yr, there have been also reports that Airbus was willing to accommodate slots for the A321s to draw a bid from United.
Alternative for the delayed 737 MAX 10
This might be a big blow to Boeing, seeing one in all its largest customers go to its rival to convert a few of its MAX 10 orders to the A321s. But when one has been following the most recent developments, United’s move is not going to come as a surprise.
United had ordered 277 MAX 10s and was imagined to be its launch customer. Nonetheless, with repeated delays in the sort’s certification and Boeing’s ongoing issues with the MAX aircraft typically, the carrier recently removed the MAX 10 from its delivery outlook.
Photo: Boeing
Then got here one other blow when the airline officially asked Boeing to stop constructing the MAX 10 for its fleet until there’s more clarity on its future regarding certification from the authorities. With no set date on when the MAX 10 would receive a green signal from the FAA, Untied’s CEO Scott Kirby recently said they might explore replacing a few of the MAX 10 with A321s.
Nonetheless, given the recognition of the A321s, with many other airlines also within the queue for the jet, United realizes that it could need to negotiate for an affordable price. Kirby did mention that he will not be in favor of overpaying for the aircraft and that a deal would only undergo whether it is viable financially.
![Boeing 737 MAX 10 in United Colors](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/lukas-souza-12-13-22-boeing-charleston-862-2.jpg)
Major Blow: United Airlines Tells Boeing To Stop Constructing MAX 10s And To Switch To MAX 9s
The most recent announcement got here after United had announced it was not expecting any deliveries of the sort in coming years.
Long road ahead for Boeing
It has not been a great yr for Boeing to this point. After the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 blowout incident and reports of other planes also being found with loose bolts, the plane maker has been under scrutiny from all corners.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also recently said it could suspend its approval of Boeing’s aircraft production if mandatory. Nonetheless, it was quick to indicate that such a move will not be imminent, with no immediate threat to Boeing’s production certificate.
But just the proven fact that when the acting Executive Director of EASA, Luc Tytgat, was asked recently if the agency can be prepared to stop recognizing US approvals, and he said, suggests that Boeing is looking at an extended road ahead to regain trust.
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