Large Boeing 737 MAX customers signal caution on orders amid COVID-19

The 737 MAX was grounded globally in March 2019 after two fatal crashes and airlines canceled flights due to lack of airplanes; now Boeing is trying to find homes for 737 MAX jets that are built but lack buyers due to the pandemic

Reuters

November 20, 2020 / 11:37 IST

A day after Boeing Co received approval for its 737 MAX to fly again following a 20-month grounding, its two largest United States and European customers signalled caution on their order books as they monitor demand in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

US based Southwest Airlines , Boeing's largest customer worldwide, said this week it would just take new MAX jets to replace jets it's retiring rather than grow its fleet, and on November 19 raised the prospect of scaling back its fleet due to the pandemic.

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"If demand is going to be persistently depressed, we can retire and not need to take airplanes as replacements," Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly told journalists.

When the 737 MAX was grounded globally in March 2019 following two fatal crashes, airlines canceled flights because they lacked enough airplanes to meet strong travel demand.

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