Written by Lisa Barrington
DUBAI (Reuters) – Delta Air Lines Corp (NYSE:) remains committed to the Boeing 737 MAX 10 it has ordered for delivery starting next year, although it does not expect to receive the plane for some time. CEO Ed Bastian said Saturday.
Delta, one of the largest American airlines, operates a large, mixed fleet that includes aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, which suffers from a quality and corporate crisis.
Bastian said Delta is “encouraged” by the steps Boeing is taking regarding management changes and other adjustments at the company.
“I'm confident we'll see improvement,” Bastian said.
Delta does not currently fly any MAX models. The MAX 10 – a larger version of Boeing's best-selling narrow-body jet – is still awaiting certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A mid-air cabin panel explosion in January on Alaska Airlines Flight MAX 9 has put a question mark over certification.
Rival United Airlines has asked Boeing to stop producing its MAX 10 aircraft, and has shifted a portion of its aircraft orders to the MAX 9.
“We remain committed (to MAX 10),” Bastian said during a press conference in Dubai where airline CEOs gathered for the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
He added that there are no plans “at this point” to replace the MAX 10 with another model, adding that he hopes the changes being made at Boeing will allow progress on building the MAX 10.
“We are scheduled to receive them next year, and I do not expect to see them for some time,” he said.