Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is reportedly engaged in negotiations with US carrier Alaska Airlines for 737 MAX jet orders. 

The talks were reported by Reuters, who cited three people familiar with the development.

The two sides did not provide the specific number of aircraft involved in the potential deal. 

Boeing’s 737 MAX has been temporarily grounded since March 2019 after two fatal crashes killed 346 people.  

Prior to the grounding, Alaska Airlines had placed an order for 37 737 MAX aircraft. 

Boeing is also holding discussions with several other airlines for jet orders or compensation following the banning of the aircraft.

However, any new order would depend on consent from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the proposed 737 MAX safety upgrades. 

Earlier this month, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Steve Dickson completed the new recommended pilot training for the grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.  

In separate development, Air Canada recently completed the sale and leaseback transactions for nine Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with two companies. 

The transactions with Jackson Square Aviation and Avolon Aerospace will provide $365m in total proceeds and $345m long-term lease commitments to Air Canada. 

Air Canada deputy chief executive officer and chief financial officer Michael Rousseau said: “Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, Air Canada has accessed financial markets numerous times and has successfully raised almost $6.0bn in liquidity, on reasonable terms and conditions, including with this transaction, as it continues to maintain liquidity levels to mitigate the challenges and uncertainty ahead.” 

Boeing’s 737 MAX has been temporarily grounded since March 2019.