Boeing Achieves Milestone as It Delivers First 787 Dreamliner to China Since 2019

In a significant development, Boeing has successfully delivered a 787 Dreamliner directly to a Chinese airline for the first time since November 2019. The milestone marks a potential opening for further deliveries, including Boeing’s high-performing 737 Max, which has faced a halt in shipments to China for nearly five years.

The Boeing 787-9, destined for Juneyao Airlines, took off from Boeing’s Everett, Washington, factory and is en route to Shanghai, as confirmed by Boeing on Thursday. This marks a departure from the previous trend, where the last new Boeing 787 delivery to a Chinese airline occurred in 2021 through a leasing company.

The recent delivery comes against the backdrop of China’s prolonged pause on numerous pending deliveries of Boeing’s 737 Max, a flagship model for the aerospace manufacturer. China grounded the 737 Max in March 2019 following the second fatal crash within five months, prompting similar actions from other countries. While the U.S. lifted its ban in 2020, China continued its hiatus on Max deliveries.

Boeing has been navigating challenges related to the 737 Max, focusing on increasing production and expediting deliveries to address the backlog of orders. As delivery is a crucial phase where manufacturers receive a substantial portion of the aircraft’s total cost, this development is a positive sign for Boeing’s business prospects.

Approximately one-third of Boeing’s inventory, consisting of around 250 Max planes, is designated for Chinese airlines, according to insights from Jefferies. Amid the delay in Max deliveries to China, Boeing has explored alternative markets by remarketing some of the Max aircraft to other carriers.

The successful delivery of the 787 Dreamliner to Juneyao Airlines signals a potential shift in the dynamics of Boeing’s relationship with Chinese aviation authorities and opens the door for future deliveries, including the eagerly awaited 737 Max, as the aerospace giant strives to recover from the challenges posed by the grounding of its bestselling jet.