Southwest Airlines Co has said that it expects to take delivery of 35 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing Co through the end of 2021.
The deliveries include 16 leased aircraft, the US carrier said, adding that it expects the MAX to return to revenue service in March after all active pilots have received updated, MAX-related training.
"Given the continued surge in COVID-19 cases and depressed revenue environment, the company continues to experience softness in leisure passenger demand and bookings for December 2020," Southwest said in a regulatory filing.
The company also flagged elevated levels of trip cancellations for December travel.
Daily Cash Burn
Southwest now expects its average daily core cash burn to be approximately $12 million in the fourth quarter, up from a previous estimate of between $10 million and $11 million.
Several US airlines have raised their daily cash burn forecast due to this year's coronavirus-related collapse in travel, as a batch of new lockdowns and advisories discourage Christmas and New Year flying.
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