It couldn't afford to keep building the Max without being able to deliver the planes and complete the sales. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic that caused air travel to plummet, airlines and aircraft leasing companies have canceled orders for 299 of the 737 Max. The company still has firm orders for more than 3,800 of the 737 Max on its books. Even so,reached an agreement with Boeing to reduce the number of Max jets that it will add to its fleet through the end of 2021. Southwest originally planned to take delivery of 107 737 Boeing Max jets between 2019 through 2021, and another 19 from aircraft leasing companies.

Source: CNN May 27, 2020 22:34 UTC