A breath of fresh air for Boeing. The US manufacturer, which has had a string of setbacks over a number of years, lags far behind Airbus, which is generating impressive orders. Fortunately, the American Delta Air Lines should confirm this Monday a rumor that has been going around in recent months: an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft with an option for an additional 30 aircraft.

List price: $13.5 billion, says Reuters, noting that the company was also in talks with Airbus to extend an existing A220 order.

Until now, Delta was the only major US airline not to order the controversial 737 MAX. In an industrial sector where state pressure is very strong, United Airlines is the main buyer of the aircraft.

Save the 737 MAX?

Delta’s order is a major problem for Boeing, which has yet to obtain certification for the 737 MAX 10. While new standards are coming in 2023, the absence of this certification by the end of the year would force Boeing to change its cabin. Group boss Dave Calhoun also warned that he would cancel the 737 MAX 10 program if that were the case.

A way to pressure the US Congress for a waiver, especially if multiple orders have been signed.

Although the plane had returned to the sky in November 2020 after being immobilized for 20 months following a series of accidents, new revelations could put the device of the American giant back on the ground.

An investigation by Australian broadcaster ABC last June revealed multiple safety issues since the aircraft was cleared for flight. In concrete terms, 60 technical problems would have been observed, six of which were considered urgent.