Boeing Commercial Airplanes will supply up to 50 737 MAX aircraft to Malaysia Airlines, a contract that may be worth $5.5 billion at current list prices if all options are fulfilled. The jet builder noted that the order had been attributed previously to an unidentified buyer. The deal is structured as a firm order for 25 737 MAX 8 jets, which will be worth $2.75 billion; and options to purchase 25 more 737 MAX 8s and MAX 9, Boeing’s newest aircraft design.
The 737 MAX will be the fourth generation of the single-aisle aircraft series, which Boeing describes as the best-selling commercial jet in history. It will debut in 2017, the 50th anniversary year for the 737 series. Malaysia’s national carrier has operated numerous variants of the 737 family. Currently, it operates 56 737-800s.
"The 737 MAX will continue the superior operating economics and reliability of the 737 that Malaysia Airlines has depended on for more than 40 years," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific & India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
