BOEING's grounded 737 Max received another vote of confidence yesterday, as airlines announced plans to order up to 50 of the jets worth $6bn (£4.6bn) at list prices.

Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana signed a letter of intent to buy 30 of the 737 Max 8 planes, which are banned from global airspaces after two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed hundreds.

At the same time, the airline said it was confident that Boeing would be able to fix the problems with the 737 Max. Plans to return the jet to service have been pushed back again and again, most recently to early next year.

Boeing is still working to finalise the software and training changes needed for it to get approval from aviation regulators around the world.

"We are making flying affordable for the people of Kazakhstan," Air Astana chief planning officer Alma Aliguzhinova said. She added that deliveries would begin in 2021.

Separately, another airline signed a firm order for 10 Boeing 737 Max 7 and 10 Boeing 737 Max 10 jets, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. The airline's name was not disclosed.

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