Boeing delivers first 737 Max to Lion Mentari

Chicago

BOEING Co delivered the first 737 Max to the jetliner's largest customer, Lion Mentari Airlines PT, a step towards reaping a cash bounty from the best-selling aircraft in company history.

The Tuesday hand-off to Lion's Malaysia affiliate, Malindo Airways, was only one day later than first scheduled after the US planemaker quickly recovered from a possible engine manufacturing defect, which had grounded the fledgling Max fleet last week. Before that hiccup, the upgraded 737 had coasted through development and flight-testing months ahead of schedule - a rarity in an industry where delays are common.