SEOUL (Reuters) – Malaysia Aviation Group Malaysia Aviation Group is talking with Boeing about buying new jets that will be available if Chinese airlines stop delivering.
Boeing appears to have returned some of its 737 Max jets from China to the U.S. where they are sent to Chinese customers.
Neither Boeing nor China commented on why the jets returned, and it was unclear which side made the decision.
Malaysia Airlines did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Bernama reports that if Boeing's delivery slot is obtained due to the tariff war between the United States and China, Mag sees it as a window to ensure early expected delivery, Bernama reports Mag's Izham Ismail said.
“Mag is talking to Boeing about whether we can take over these slot machines,” Ismail told Bernama.
Airline globally aspires to new aircraft, but faces extended lead times due to pandemic supply chain bottlenecks and slowing production at Boeing as scrutiny of investigations and labor strikes.
Owned by Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, MAG has been growing and renewing its fleet steadily and aims to operate a narrow fleet of 55 new generation 737 Max Max aircraft between 2030 and 2030.
Last month, it said it would buy the 18 737 MAX 8 and 12 737 MAX 10 aircraft, with the option to buy another 30 aircraft.
It also has an agreement to lease 25 737 Max Jets from airlift companies between 2023 and 2026.
Ismail said any potential arrangements for riding other aircraft from the vacant delivery slots are not part of the airline leasing company's deal, and MAG will need to travel to the capital market to raise additional funds.
(Written by Lisa Barrington. Edited by Gerry Doyle)
