Malaysia Airlines orders Boeing 737 MAX jets in $5.5 billion deal

KUALA LUMPUR: National carrier Malaysia Airlines said on Wednesday it had ordered 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets, with firm orders on 25 and rights to purchase 25 more.

At list prices, the total order of long-range narrow body aircraft was worth $5.5 billion, the airline said in a statement. Deliveries will begin in 2019.

The new planes will cut operating costs, Chief Executive Peter Bellew said.