Malaysia Airlines willing to buy the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that Chinese airlines do not receive
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, is in talks with Boeing to potentially acquire 737 MAX aircraft that may become available if Chinese airlines permanently halt deliveries amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, according to Reuters, citing Malaysia's state news agency Bernama.
The situation follows reports that China has ordered its airlines to stop accepting Boeing aircraft deliveries in retaliation for steep U.S. tariffs. In response, Beijing imposed tariffs of up to 125% on American goods, which would significantly raise the cost of acquiring aircraft like the 737 MAX, whose market price is around $55 million.
Several of these jets, previously awaiting delivery at Boeing completion centers in China, have recently been flown back to the U.S.
For Malaysia Airlines, this geopolitical shift presents a strategic opportunity. MAG Group Managing Director Izham Ismail told Bernama that if Boeing delivery slots become available due to the tariff dispute, MAG would seek to fill them to speed up its fleet renewal. “MAG is in conversation with Boeing on whether we can take those slots,” Ismail said. This would allow the airline to advance its fleet modernization goals more rapidly.
This potential acquisition would add to Malaysia Airlines’ ongoing expansion plans. The airline aims to operate a fleet of 55 next-generation 737 MAX aircraft by 2030. In early 2025, it finalized a firm order for 18 Boeing 737-8 and 12 Boeing 737-10 jets, with options for an additional 30 aircraft.
In addition, Malaysia Airlines has a lease agreement for 25 737 MAX aircraft from Air Lease Corp, with deliveries scheduled through 2026. Ismail noted that acquiring ex-China aircraft would require seeking additional financing from capital markets.
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