Virgin Australia deferring Boeing 737 Max delivery
Virgin Australia says it will defer delivery of its Boeing 737 Max jets by nearly two years.
The delay will buy it time to be completely satisfied with its safety and to reduce its short term capital spending.
New CEO Paul Scurrah said the deferment could help boost its credit rating.
"It was certainly the first priority I walked into the business with when I got here," he told Reuters
"We are confident in the assurances given us around (Boeing’s) commitment to safely return the MAX to service. As a long term partner we are looking to work with them through that process."
Norwegian Air Shuttle and Indonesia`s Lion Air, which was involved in the first Max crash, have also pushed back deliveries.
Virgin said it will convert another 15 of its 737 Max jets on order to the larger 737 Max 10 version.
The first of these will be delivered beginning in July 2021.
The bigger capacity and longer range will give the airline additional flexibility, Scurrah said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025