Boeing strikes $4.9 bn deal to sell 40 jets to Avia

Washington: Avia Solutions Group has ordered 40 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Boeing, the companies said Tuesday, in a transaction valued at about $4.9 bill...

Washington: Avia Solutions Group has ordered 40 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Boeing, the companies said Tuesday, in a transaction valued at about $4.9 billion -- a boost to the aviation giant as it recovers from a worker strike.

Avia's first firm order with the aviation giant comes with an option to add another 40 jets later, Boeing and Avia said in a statement.

"We have committed to a strategic approach of expanding our capacity to meet our customers' seasonal needs, and our first order with Boeing is a key pillar of this," said Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman of the aviation services group.

The purchase announcement came shortly after striking workers at Boeing last week approved a new contract proposal, ending a more than seven-week stoppage that cost Boeing billions.

The end of the strike sends about 33,000 Seattle-area employees back to work and restores operations at two major assembly plants, at a time when Boeing is trying to recover from multiple setbacks.