Boeing took no orders for new aircraft in January, according to a press release. 

The last time it happened was 1962. The full year ended with a total negative order intake for the first time in decades, after the best-selling 737 Max was grounded after two accidents in a short period of time.

Deliveries from the hard-pressed American aircraft manufacturer were 13 planes a month. It is the first time in 20 years that Boeing has stopped producing the historic 737 model. The year has also consisted of a bombshell of criticism from the public and politicians, criticism that resulted in CEO Dennis Muilenberg being fired towards the end of the year.

Boeing has been forced to offer huge discounts – up to half the price – to get airlines to buy the accident-prone 737 Max model, The Daily Telegraph reported in January. 

The main French competitor Airbus took 274 aircraft orders in January.

Boeing has yet to see the end of the crisis, which has been marred by reports that the certification process for the plane has been too lax. The latest reports claim that the US aviation authority FAA has notified airlines that a possible recertification could be completed before the end of the year. However, several major customers have dropped the Max plane from their entire summer program.

Two European airlines that have placed large orders for the problem model are Norwegian Air, Ryanair, and British Airways owner IAG, which operate at Swedish airports. Both airlines are in negotiations with Boeing about compensation for the loss of revenue and costs caused by the flight ban. However, SAS has earlier initiated a phase-out of Boeing aircraft in favor of Airbus.

The American aircraft manufacturer's stock has fallen by over 20 percent since March.

Source: Nyhetsbyrån Direkt