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Boeing to sell 200 of its 737 MAX jets in first deal since grounding

Click to play video: 'Boeing CEO pledges to apply lessons learned from MAX 737 crashes'
Boeing CEO pledges to apply lessons learned from MAX 737 crashes
WATCH: Boeing CEO Kevin McAllister pledged to apply lessons learned after the MAX 737 crashes to future planes as the world's largest aerospace company struck a chastened tone at the opening of the Paris Airshow on Monday – Jun 18, 2019

Boeing is selling its 737 Max planes again.

The company announced at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday that International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways and other carriers, signed a letter of intent for 200 Boeing 737 aircraft.

Boeing said it’s the first sale of the jetliner since the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max in March. Another 737 Max crashed in Indonesia last year. All planes of the same model are now grounded amid an investigation of problematic software.

The letter of intent is subject to final agreement, but is a vote of confidence in Boeing as it struggles to win back trust from airlines, pilots, regulators and the traveling public.

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WATCH: American Airlines extends Max 8 cancellations

Click to play video: 'American Airlines extends Boeing 737 Max cancellations'
American Airlines extends Boeing 737 Max cancellations

The combination of 737-Max 8 and 737-Max 10 planes would cost US$24 billion at list prices, though companies usually strike deals for discounts. The planes would be delivered between 2023 and 2027 to airlines owned by IAG.

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IAG expressed optimism that regulators will allow amended Max jets to fly again soon. But it’s unclear when that will be, notably for regulators outside the U.S.

The Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air crashes killed 346 people. Boeing executives started off the Paris Air Show on Monday with a sweeping apology to victims’ families and airlines.

WATCH: Regulators debate requirements for Boeing 737 Max pilots

Click to play video: 'Regulators debate what requirements pilots will need  going forward to fly Boeing MAX aircraft'
Regulators debate what requirements pilots will need going forward to fly Boeing MAX aircraft

Analysts had predicted that Boeing might try to announce some Max orders at the air show to demonstrate that the plane – one of Boeing’s most popular models – still has support.

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Boeing depends heavily on the aircraft and has said it is costing at least $1 billion to address problems with the troubled jet. But the company has struggled to get a handle on the Max controversy.

The CEO says Boeing botched communication with regulators and is promising more transparency.

After lackluster sales in recent months, Boeing’s orders picked up Tuesday. It announced a deal with Korean Air and Air Lease Corporation for a total of 30 long-range 787 jets, worth $6.3 billion at list prices.

European rival Airbus also announced several orders Tuesday. Before announcing its Boeing Max deal, industry powerhouse IAG signed a firm order with Airbus for new A321XLR long-range jets, for its airlines Aer Lingus and Iberia.

WATCH: Poll suggests Americans are reluctant to fly on Boeing Max planes

Click to play video: 'New poll finds American reluctant to start using Boeing MAX-series aircraft again'
New poll finds American reluctant to start using Boeing MAX-series aircraft again

Airbus also reported sales to Delta Air Lines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Atlantic Airways, and announced a feasibility study for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that could shuttle visitors to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

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Both Airbus and Boeing face a slowing economy that tempered the mood at the air show.

The companies, along with other manufacturers, came together Tuesday to promise more investment in reducing aviation emissions even as global air travel is expected to rise significantly in the decades to come.

Plane makers are under increased pressure from regulators and passengers concerned about climate-damaging emissions. They are looking at hybrid, electric or hydrogen technology to eventually replace existing fuel.

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