Let's say Airline A placed an order for an aircraft a while back. After a bit of time, Airline A decides it no longer has a need for the aircraft and decides to cancel the order. Meanwhile, Airline B decides it wants to buy said aircraft but doesn't want to go to the back of the delivery line. Is there a process where Airline B can take Airline A's spot in the delivery queue? I vaguely remember seeing something like this happen before, but cannot find any sources.
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3$\begingroup$ Anything is possible but remember that a purchase contract is between the mfr and the buyer. Airline A cannot transfer the contract obligations to airline B (because the mfr has an obligation to A and cannot usually transfer that obligation on the mfrs behalf), airline B would have to negotiate the queue position with the mfr when it purchases or assumes the contract. Mfrs may use this as a selling tactic when somebody cancels a contract. $\endgroup$– Ron BeyerApr 1, 2017 at 1:24
1 Answer
In general yes, but depending on how close the aircraft was to completion they have to live with a different cabin and cockpit layout than what they are used to or would had ordered themselves.