@ India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Air India is in talks with U Boeing to acquire around 10 737 MAX jets after Chinese customers started rejecting deliveries amid a trade war with the United States.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said on April 23 that “due to the tariffs, many of our customers in China have indicated that they will not take delivery”, and the company could redirect jets to other customers in need.

Air India, Reuters reported, was seeking around 10 narrowbody planes from Boeing for its budget carrier Air India Express.

Air India Express has previously taken white tail aircraft – or jets manufactured for one customer but acquired by another.

It is believed, that jet configuration between its fleet and the incoming planes meant for Chinese customers may be factored into price negotiations.

The move could be a boost to Air India’s expansion plans as the group’s growth has been constrained by a lack of new aircraft, Reuters noted.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has said the airline was a “victim of circumstance,” referring to delivery delays plaguing Boeing and Airbus.