Boeing has made a significant announcement regarding new aircraft orders, securing up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from prominent airlines Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This comes as a counter to Airbus’s earlier successes in securing orders from these carriers following the setbacks Boeing faced earlier this year with the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed gratitude for the enduring partnership with Japan Airlines, which has chosen the 787 Dreamliner to enhance its modern fleet. Specifically, Japan Airlines will acquire 10 Dreamliners, with the option to purchase an additional 10.
On the other hand, Korean Air has ordered a total of 40 aircraft, comprising 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, also with an option for an additional 10 of the latter model.
Interestingly, these new orders come soon after a previous report that indicated Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, breaking its long-standing pattern of exclusively acquiring single-aisle planes from Boeing. Similarly, Korean Air had also been reported as having made recent purchases from Airbus, adding to the competitive landscape in the aviation sector.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, acknowledged Korean Air’s choice of Boeing for their latest acquisitions, highlighting the role of Boeing planes in their operations over the last 50 years. She noted that the new aircraft models will play an essential role in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth ambitions.
In conclusion, these developments appear to signal a vigorous comeback for Boeing as it strives to regain market share and strengthen its relationships with key airline partners in a dynamic and competitive industry. As the aviation sector continues to evolve, this could bode well for Boeing’s future and its efforts to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.