IAG Ordered the Boeing Max Because It Was Fed Up With Airbus

Willie Walsh discusses France’s proposed tax on airlines, Brexit, and the return of the Boeing Max airplane.Source: Bloomberg
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IAG SA Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh said frustration with Airbus SE over late jetliner deliveries was a factor in his decision to place a $24 billion order for Boeing Co.’s grounded 737 Max model.

Cost and a desire to have a mixed narrow-body fleet weren’t the only considerations in the purchase, with IAG experiencing a 70-day delay on average for handovers of the A320neo aircraft, which competes with the Max, the CEO said in an interview.