Boeing reportedly close to 737 MAX 7 aircraft order from Southwest Airlines

Aerospace and defence company Boeing is reportedly close to securing a multibillion-dollar order for its 737 MAX 7 aircraft from US carrier Southwest Airlines.

The smallest of the four-member MAX family, the MAX 7 features 153 seats in a two-class configuration and has a range of 3,850 nautical miles.

If confirmed, the deal would be the largest 737 MAX order for the company since the FAA lifted the aircraft’s safety ban, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the development.

The Boeing 737 MAX has been grounded since March 2019, following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

This potential order is likely to include dozens of firm orders and significant options, reported the news agency.

There is currently no clear information regarding specific terms of the deal and the timing of a possible announcement.

Several airlines have started operating the 737 MAX family aircraft.

Last month, TUI fly Belgium became the first carrier in Europe to operate the 737 MAX.

During the same month, Australia’s aviation authority also lifted the ban on flights to and from the country that use the Boeing Co 737 MAX aircraft.

In a separate development, Canadian carrier WestJet reportedly cancelled its order for 15 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, citing the lack of traffic in the airline industry and financial strain as the reason.

Earlier this month, United Airlines reached an agreement for the firm order of 25 additional Boeing 737 Max aircraft.