Boeing lands first 737 Max jet order since deadly crashes

By Angela Charlton / Associated Press

PARIS — Boeing is selling 737 Max planes again.

The company announced at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday that International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways and other carriers, signed a letter of intent for 200 Boeing 737s.

Boeing said it’s the first sale of the jetliner since the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max in March. Another 737 Max crashed in Indonesia last year. All planes of that newest 737 model are now grounded amid an investigation of problematic software.

The letter of intent is subject to final agreement but is a vote of confidence for Boeing as it struggles to win back trust from airlines, pilots, regulators and the traveling public.

The combination of 737 Max 8 and 737 Max 10 planes would cost $24 billion at list prices, though companies strike deals for discounts. The planes would be delivered between 2023 and 2027 to airlines owned by IAG.

IAG expressed optimism that regulators will allow Max jets to fly again soon. But it’s unclear when that will be, especially for regulators outside the U.S.

The Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air crashes killed 346 people. Boeing executives started off the Paris Air Show on Monday with a sweeping apology to victims’ families and airlines.

Analysts had predicted that Boeing might try to announce some Max orders at the air show to demonstrate that the Renton-built plane — Boeing’s most popular model — still has support.

Boeing depends heavily on the aircraft and has said it is costing at least $1 billion to address problems with the troubled jet. But the company has struggled to get a handle on the Max controversy.

The CEO says Boeing botched communication with regulators and is promising more transparency.

After lackluster sales in recent months, Boeing’s orders have picked up. On Tuesday it announced a deal with Korean Air and Air Lease Corporation for a total of 30 long-range 787 jets, worth $6.3 billion at list prices.

European rival Airbus also announced several orders Tuesday. Before announcing the Boeing Max deal, industry powerhouse IAG signed a firm order with Airbus for new A321XLR long-range jets, for its airlines Aer Lingus and Iberia.

Airbus also reported sales to Delta Air Lines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Atlantic Airways, and announced a feasibility study for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that could shuttle visitors to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Both Airbus and Boeing face a slowing economy that tempered the mood at the air show.

The companies, along with other manufacturers, came together Tuesday to promise more investment in reducing aviation emissions, even as global air travel is expected to rise significantly in the decades to come.

Plane makers are under increased pressure from regulators and passengers concerned about climate-damaging emissions. They are looking at hybrid, electric or hydrogen technology to eventually replace existing fuel.

David Koenig in Chicago contributed.