Malaysia Airlines has suspended deliveries of 25 Boeing Co 737 MAX jets, citing the plane’s delayed return to service since it was grounded last year following two fatal crashes.
The decision represents another setback for Boeing, which last week reported its worst annual net orders in decades, along with its lowest number of plane deliveries in 11 years, as the grounding of the 737 MAX saw it fall far behind main competitor Airbus SE, report agencies.
“In view of the production stoppage and the delayed return to service of the 737-MAX, Malaysia Airlines has suspended the delivery of its orders,” the airline said in an e-mail, without saying when it wanted the deliveries to resume.
“As there is no clarity yet from various authorities on its return to service, our technical due diligence is still ongoing,” Malaysia Airlines said.
The airline said that it had previously planned to have five 737 MAX jets delivered this year, the first in July. Last year, its chief executive had said it was possible that the craft’s introduction to service could slide beyond July.
Boeing said that it is sorry for the disruption the 737 MAX situation had caused Malaysia Airlines.
“We are working to support them and all of our customers in every way possible to ensure complete confidence in the 737 MAX and a safe return to commercial flight,” Boeing said in a statement.
