Malaysia Air Reviews $2.75 Billion Boeing Max Order Amid Concern

(Bloomberg) -- Malaysia Airlines Bhd. is reviewing whether to go ahead with a $2.75 billion order to buy 25 of Boeing Co.’s 737 Max jets in the wake of two fatal crashes that's led to the global grounding of the plane, a person familiar with the matter said.

Though the state-run airline hasn't made any decision, it wants Boeing’s reassurances about the plane’s safety before proceeding further, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter.

The Malaysian carrier's situation adds to the growing number of airlines wavering on Boeing's fastest-selling jet. Garuda Indonesia has said it no longer wants to buy the 737 Max planes it ordered, while Lion Air is said to be seeking to drop its order.

In 2016, Malaysia Airlines agreed to buy 25 737 Max 8 jets from Boeing, with an option to double the order, which would bring the total value of the deal to $5.5 billion. None of the planes has been delivered yet.

Boeing has begun mapping out steps to ease its 737 Max back into commercial service once regulators lift the grounding, but there’s no clear timeline on when that may happen. The International Air Transport Association, the biggest association of airlines, has forecast it doesn’t expect a decision for as long as 12 weeks.

Boeing and Malaysia Airlines representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

To contact the reporters on this story: Benjamin Katz in London at bkatz38@bloomberg.net;Anurag Kotoky in New Delhi at akotoky@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Young-Sam Cho at ycho2@bloomberg.net, Stanley James

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