Originally Posted by
krismiler
This could open the floodgates, how many other airlines have ordered and received the MAX or have unfulfilled orders for the aircraft but had routes and timetables already in place based on its arrival on a specific date ?
Probably all of them. You don't order new aircraft at USD 120m a pop without having a very good idea of exactly how you are going to use them for revenue generation, worked out to the day. Your funder would want to see the detail of such plans before they even think about financing the deal.
Just as much an issue is disposing of the old fleet, which will also have been prearranged. The lease may say it's extendible, but that's normally at standard rates rather than the great concessionary rate you have been paying over time. I believe rates for mid-life 737NGs have gone through the roof, because not only are none being released onto the market, but those with Max fleets which were in use are having to go out and try and get replacements.