At the JP Morgan Industrials Conference this week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed that he has asked Boeing to stop building 737 MAX 10s.
This is until it’s clearer “if and when” the aircraft type will be certified.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
A Blow to the Boeing 737 MAX 10?
Kirby also had this to say on whether Boeing have accepted the safety concerns:
“I think they have accepted that there are larger changes that they need to make”.
“I’m encouraged at least at the first step.”
United Airlines currently has around 277 Boeing 737 MAX 10s on order, with options for another 200.
The first aircraft have been built for them already, despite the variant not receiving commercial certification yet.
It is understood that the airline has asked to convert manufacturing and delivery slots to the MAX 9 instead for the time being.
For now, this is a blow from a major customer of the Boeing 737 MAX 10, but this does not resort to an order cancellation as of yet.
Is This Going to Intensify Rumors of Another Airbus Order?
There has been speculation over the last month or two that United Airlines could make an Airbus A321neo order again.
This would come in replacement of the Boeing 737 MAX 10s on order.
The last order that they made with the European planemaker was for 60 A321neos back in October.
They did also order Boeing aircraft as well, showing that there is a level of trust and optimism there.
However, the words from Scott Kirby this week at the JP Morgan Industrials Conference doesn’t rule out anything yet.
Reporting from Bloomberg highlighted a few weeks ago that the two sides are in advanced talks.
Such an order would mean more Airbus A321neos would be received next year, which would help stem delays in fleet growth.
Either way, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens moving forward.
Overall…
These words from United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby come as no surprise, given the delays to certification at present.
However, this alongside what has gone on over the course of the year with Alaska Airlines AS1282 and themselves, is going to cause tension.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on whether any decision will be made about either:
- The cancellation of the 737 MAX 10 order and purchase Airbus A321neos.
- Whether an Airbus order will be unveiled anyway, and keep the 737 MAX 10 in the orderbook.
Either way, it’s all to play for in the manufacturing space, and all eyes will be on what United Airlines chooses to do.
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