This time last year, the biggest makers of planes and their components were in  as the Covid-19 pandemic brought air travel to a virtual standstill and crippled demand for new jets. But with more than 2 billion vaccines now administered worldwide, passenger demand has rebounded and airlines have renewed interest in expanding their fleets to accommodate the snapback.

Southwest Airlines Co. this week topped up its order for the smallest version of Boeing Co.’s 737 Max and said it now expects to spend about $1.5 billion on aircraft next year, more than double its previous projection. United Airlines Holdings Inc., meanwhile, is eyeing a revamp of its fleet that may include an order of at least 100 Max jets, Bloomberg News reported Thursday. Boeing recorded its fourth consecutive month of orders outpacing cancellations in May, even as the company continues to struggle with delivery pauses. Read more