Malaysia Airlines Set to Order 787 Dreamliners in Boeing vs. Airbus Showdown
Malaysia Airlines is nearing an order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners to replace its leased Airbus A350 jets and provide room for future growth, according to sources close to the matter.
The new aircraft will be a mix of Boeing 787-10s, with about ten units likely to be part of the initial order. The deal is expected to favor Boeing over Airbus, as Boeing offered earlier delivery slots starting in 2031 and GE Aviation provided better terms on the engines compared to Rolls-Royce Holdings.
The decision also has political undertones, given that US President Donald Trump tied Boeing orders to trade pacts he signed with various countries. Last year, Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia would purchase 30 Boeing aircraft with options for 30 more.