China Development Bank (CDB) has agreed to buy 50 aircraft from Boeing, in a deal expected to give a boost to the US aerospace giant as it faces multiple crises, increasing scrutiny and worker strikes.
The purchase of the Boeing 737-8 aircraft comes as China Development Bank’s aircraft leasing unit seeks to bolster its fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, a statement said.
The Boeing 737 Max is expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2031, according to the order filing.
The request comes as Boeing announced on Wednesday that it would begin furloughing its employees to cut spending amid a labor strike that has shut down a number of its factories.
Boeing workers have been staging a sit-in since September 13, shutting down 737 Max and 777 assembly plants in Renton and Everett, near Seattle.
The airline has also come under increased scrutiny since a door broke off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max mid-flight in January, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.
That has revived questions about safety standards and quality control after the company made progress in the wake of two Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.
In March, Boeing announced management changes that included the resignation of CEO Dave Calhoun. It also slowed Max production while improving quality control.
Difficult procedures
Regarding granting temporary leave to Boeing employees, the company’s president, Kelly Ortberg, explained that the employees concerned will be referred to technical unemployment in rotation for one week every 4 weeks.
“It is important that we take tough action to preserve our finances and ensure Boeing’s ability to successfully recover,” Ortberg said Wednesday.
He added that the partial technical unemployment measure will affect “a large number of managers, officials and employees in the United States.”
Ortberg, who took over Boeing on August 8, stressed that the group remains determined to re-establish its relationship with the striking employees and continue negotiations to reach a collective agreement as soon as possible.
Negotiations resumed Tuesday with federal mediation but ended without results Wednesday evening, according to the union representing the workers.
