More Boeing MAX jets cancelled

Boeing culled another 183 jets from its order book in June and delivered just 10 aircraft.

Picture: AFP

Boeing culled another 183 jets from its order book in June and delivered just 10 aircraft, highlighting the pandemic-driven barriers to recovery for plane makers.

The aerospace giant on Tuesday reported another 60 cancellations for its grounded 737 MAX jet and removed 123 more aircraft, including 119 MAX jets, from its order backlog because of doubts those deals would be concluded.

The coronavirus-driven collapse in air travel has left airlines and leasing companies wary of placing fresh orders and unable or unwilling to accept existing deals because of available finance and travel restrictions on flight crews.

Cargo and military jets accounted for most of Boeing’s deliveries last month, and it won a single order for a 767 freighter from FedEx.

Deliveries included a 747-8 freighter, three 767s and two converted 737 surveillance aircraft. It also handed over three 787s and a 777. Boeing delivered 67 planes in the same month last year. So far in 2020 it has handed over 70.

Boeing’s backlog fell to 4552 at the end of June as several leasing companies cancelled MAX orders and Boeing downgraded the likelihood of the 119 being delivered. Norwegian Air Shuttle has said it plans to cancel its remaining deal for 92 of the planes.

Airbus handed over 36 planes last month, taking its first-half total to 196.