Harold.Net Article:
The detail on how Boeing resold the Volga airplanes is contained in a written declaration to the court by Maria Akiyama, a Boeing Commercial Airplanes director who was Volga’s principal contact on the contracts.
- On May 4, Boeing “finalized the resale of the 747-8F airplane Volga refused and has scheduled delivery of the plane to Customer A,” Akiyama states.
- Customer A is likely UPS, which is the only remaining airline with 747-8s on order, and would likely be willing to take Volga’s remaining order for three more 747-8s if the Russians walk away.
- The court filings also include an April 2 purchase agreement with another unnamed airline, Customer B, to purchase two of the three 777Fs originally meant for the Volga.
- The agreement outlines a series of “credit memos” for the two 777Fs, with all financial details redacted, that likely stipulate the discounts Boeing is providing. And an additional memo makes clear the deal is conditional on an agreement to purchase multiple Boeing models.
- “In recognition of Customer’s partnership with Boeing as a 777 and 787 customer in [REDACTED], Boeing will issue to Customer a multi-model aircraft credit memorandum in the amount of [REDACTED], contingent on Customer executing definitive agreements to purchase (i) Model 777-9 aircraft and (ii) additional Model 787 aircraft no later than June 30, 2020.”
- The 777-9 is the first version of the new 777X, which began flight tests in January.
- There are a limited number of potential airline customers that fit the above details. The latest issue of Cargo Facts, an air freight trade publication, speculates that Customer B is most likely either All Nippon Airways (ANA) of Japan, EVA Air of Taiwan, or one of the large Chinese state airlines.
- Boeing declined to comment on sales discussions with customers.