THE airline group that owns British Airways is planning to buy 200 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, the company announced today.
This is despite the fact that the scandal-hit model has been grounded since March this year after two deadly crashes.
International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling and LEVEL, has signed a letter of intent at the Paris Airshow in a deal that’s estimated to be worth upwards of £24 billion (£19 billion).
IAG Chief Executive Willie Walsh said of the 737 MAX: “We have every confidence in Boeing and expect that the aircraft will make a successful return to service in the coming months”.
Mr Walsh, a former 737 pilot, said he would have “no hesitation” in flying on the plane, and voiced confidence in its safety.
Boeing’s top-selling plane has been grounded since an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crashed in March, five months after a Lion Air 737 MAX plunged into the sea off Indonesia. A total of 346 people died in the two disasters.
Boeing is locked in negotiations with regulators to get a modified version of the plane flying again.
Boeing’s head of commercial airplanes Kevin McAllister said in response to IAG’s support: “We can’t thank you enough for the confidence you placed in the Boeing family.”
IAG said it planned for the mix of 737-8 and 737-10 aircraft to be delivered between 2023 and 2027.
