Boeing has recently made headlines with significant aircraft orders secured from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the renowned planemaker announced it has finalized orders for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle airplanes. This notable development indicates Boeing’s robust competitive stance following earlier market incursions by its French rival, Airbus, particularly during a challenging period that began with the 737 Max door plug incident in January.
Brad McMullen, who oversees sales operations at Boeing, expressed gratitude for the partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to reselect the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to upgrade their fleet. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10.
Similarly, Korean Air has announced an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with a 10-plane option for the 787-10 series. This news coincides with the commencement of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aerospace industry.
These latest orders come against the backdrop of earlier reports indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines—a significant move as it marked the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor other than Boeing. Similarly, there were reports of Airbus selling wide-body jets to Korean Air, raising questions about the future of Boeing’s market share among these carriers.
In response to these orders, Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed her gratitude to Korean Air for choosing Boeing’s most efficient wide-body offerings, emphasizing that these aircraft will aid in the airline’s growth and sustainability goals moving forward.
Overall, this development reflects Boeing’s resilience and commitment to regain its competitive edge in the commercial aviation market amid changing dynamics. With these strategic partnerships and growing orders, there is optimism for Boeing’s continued innovation and success in the aerospace sector.
Summary: Boeing has secured orders for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, marking a positive turn for the company as it competes with Airbus in the commercial aviation market. Despite facing challenges, Boeing’s partnerships and order renewals signal a hopeful outlook for the future.