Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, showcasing its resilience in the competitive aviation market. On Monday, the aerospace giant revealed that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have placed orders for up to 80 aircraft. This comes as a response to setbacks faced earlier this year, particularly following issues with the Boeing 737 Max, which allowed rival Airbus to make inroads with these carriers.
In a statement, Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations chief, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as part of its fleet modernization efforts. Japan Airlines will initially take 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional planes. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
These sales come during the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event for the aviation industry. The backdrop of these orders recalls a recent report indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Additionally, Airbus secured several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, highlighting the challenges Boeing faced amidst ongoing issues with the 737 Max.
Despite these setbacks, Boeing remains optimistic. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s long-standing relationship with Boeing and emphasized how the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play pivotal roles in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth initiatives.
In summary, these new orders reflect Boeing’s ongoing commitment to innovation and partnership, signaling a potential shift back towards recovery as the company works to strengthen its foothold in the competitive market.
This news not only demonstrates Boeing’s ability to adapt and rebound after challenges but also highlights a positive trajectory for the aviation industry as air travel continues to recover and evolve post-pandemic.