MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil's Gol Airlines recovers US$ 412 million compensation from Boeing

The timing of the payments have become a lifeline for Gol that, as its peers worldwide, is reeling because of the coronavirus crisis.

Brazil airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes said on Wednesday it will receive a total of 2.4 billion reais (US$412.03 million) from Boeing Co as compensation for the grounding of the 737 MAX plane, which has not flown in over a year.

The timing of the payments have become a lifeline for Gol that, as its peers worldwide, is reeling because of the coronavirus crisis.

Meanwhile China Development Bank (CDB) Financial Leasing Co said it had agreed with Boeing Co to cancel the purchase of 29 undelivered 737 MAX jets, adding to a string of recent cancellations of the grounded airplane.

The model has been grounded globally for more than a year following deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

“In light of evolving aviation market dynamics, we've been working together with Boeing over many months to re-calibrate our MAX order book to be in line with our long-term view of the market and related opportunities,” Xuedong Wang, chairman of CDB Financial unit CDB Aviation, said in a statement.

Boeing recorded a total of 150 MAX cancellations in March, including 75 from Irish leasing company Avolon. Boeing remains in talks with regulators seeking approval to return the plane to service, but its customers have also seen a sharp fall-off in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Boeing said in a statement it continued to partner with leasing company customers to help them balance their portfolios in a challenging market.