[Source/Observer Network Deng Jun Editor/Zhao Qiankun]

According to multiple foreign media reports, including Skift and Agence France-Presse, Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed on April 23 (local time in the United States) that Boeing has withdrawn all three undelivered 737 MAX aircraft from Zhoushan back to Seattle. Ortberg even "threatened" that after two aircraft were returned by Chinese airlines, the company would no longer manufacture aircraft for Chinese airlines.

For a long time, Chinese airlines have been major customers of Boeing. According to Flight Master data, as of the end of 2023, the total number of Boeing aircraft owned by China Southern Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines is approximately 616, making Boeing an important buyer.

According to reports from CNN and Reuters, two Boeing 737 MAX passenger aircraft originally planned for delivery to Xiamen Airlines were flown back to Boeing's factory in Seattle on April 19 and April 21 (local time).

On April 24 (Beijing time), the third undelivered Boeing 737 MAX passenger aircraft from Zhoushan Boeing Completion Center took off and returned to Seattle, USA.

Boeing Factory in Seattle, Washington Visual China

Some industry analysts believe that since the ownership of undelivered aircraft belongs to Boeing, the company also has the responsibility to maintain and ensure airworthiness at all times. Therefore, flying the aircraft back to the United States should be the safest and most prudent approach.

In addition, Juneyao Airlines has also confirmed the postponement of receiving the originally planned Boeing 787 aircraft.

Data provided by Flight Master to Observer Network shows that although the number of Boeing aircraft delivered to mainland China in 2024 (54 in total) has increased compared to 2023, it is far less than the number of Airbus aircraft delivered to mainland China (91). At the same time, from the distribution of aircraft manufacturers for civil passenger flights in mainland China in 2024, Boeing accounts for 41.36%, while Airbus accounts for 52.73%.

According to AFP reports, Ortberg told CNBC in an interview that due to the "tariff environment," Chinese customers have "stopped accepting aircraft deliveries." The company originally planned to deliver about 50 aircraft to Chinese airlines this year. If Chinese customers continue to reject Boeing's aircraft, Boeing may resell the remaining unproduced and undelivered aircraft to other buyers.

However, even if there are other buyers willing to "take over" the returned 737 Max aircraft from China, these buyers will have to pay a high price for them.

Air transport consultant Richard Aboulafia warned that since 2021, the prices of materials and equipment have already increased by 40%. Faced with the current tariffs on steel and aluminum used in aircraft imposed by the Trump administration, as well as pressure on global passenger demand due to geopolitical tensions and economic slowdown, airlines face a dual dilemma of rapidly increasing costs and shrinking revenue if they expand too quickly.

It is also understood that recent events involving China's domestically produced aircraft continue to make headlines.

In late March, China's domestically produced large aircraft C919 made its first flight to Northeast China, and Shenyang became the 10th city where East Airlines operates the C919; on April 12, the first C909 delivered by COMAC to Lao Airlines successfully completed its inaugural commercial flight; on April 19, VietJet Air opened new routes connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Con Dao, operated by two C909 aircraft wet-leased from Chengdu Airlines in China.

In addition, since 2023, China Southern Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines have each signed orders for 100 C919 aircraft, and two airlines under HNA Group have each signed orders for 30 aircraft.

According to reports by the Financial Times, the current order volume for COMAC's C919 is approximately 1500 aircraft.

This massive number of orders has accelerated the capacity enhancement of COMAC.

According to the latest production plan recently announced by COMAC, the production target for C919 in 2025 will be raised to 75 aircraft, and the production targets from 2026 to 2029 will increase from 100 aircraft to 200 aircraft. From 2025 to 2029, the annual production capacity for C909 will remain stable at 50 aircraft, reaching around 400 aircraft by 2029.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496803057099866635/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Please use the buttons below to express your opinion by voting "up" or "down."