737 Max crashes prevent Boeing from launching 777X long-haul jet

Boeing has been suffering billions of dollars in losses resulting from the 737 Max crisis

Boeing has reportedly been delaying the launch of 777X long-haul jet, as the company spends its resources in handling a crisis following the crash of two of its 737 Max planes that killed hundreds of people.

A spokesman for Boeing, Paul Bergman stated that the company reviewed its development program schedule and the requirement for their 777X customers and has taken a decision to adjust the schedule.

Apparently, this news has complicated plans for Qantas Airways of Australia that had planned to start the longest commercial route in the world by 2023, the flight from Sydney to London which will take 21 hours.

Bergman commented that Boeing will be trying to satisfy jet buyers like Qantas despite having the production delayed by calling it an ‘adjustment’. The adjustment reportedly helps in the reduction of risks in the company’s development program. The company will continue to engage with their potential and current customers on how to meet their fleet needs.

An analyst at the Bank of America tracking Boeing, Ron Epstein, said that the new plane is anticipated to cover longer distances compared to the longest non-stop flight currently flying from Newark to Singapore with a journey extending over 18 hours. The 737 Max crashes and the problems related with it have taken most of the company’s bandwidth as its earnings have dropped, along with scrutiny from federal regulators that have borne down on it.

According to Epstein, demand for long flights by the customers have been weak in the past months. This has been influencing the decision of the company into not pushing out the plane as its top priority. An immediate demand for the airplane by the customers would make the company pursue it, Epstein added.

France-based Airbus that has been involved in the making of ultra-long range aircraft, shall welcome the delay made for Boeing’s long-haul jet owing to an intense competition between the two.

 

Source Credit- https://www.npr.org/2019/08/15/751554780/boeing-delays-launch-of-long-haul-jet-as-737-max-crisis-remains-the-focus