Singapore Airlines says it has has reached agreements with Airbus and Boeing to revise its aircraft delivery schedule, which includes the switching of some orders.

As a result, the carrier says, some of the aircraft in the SIA Group’s order book will be delivered over a longer period than originally contracted, with the delivery stream spread out beyond the immediate five years.

Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong said this will enable the SIA Group to defer more than $4 billion of capital expenditure between FY20/21 and FY22/23 to later years.

It would also recalibrate the rate of introduction of capacity, he said, following the disruption to the demand for air travel as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to spreading out its aircraft delivery stream, Singapore Airlines has converted 14 Boeing 787-10 aircraft into 11 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft.

“The agreements with Airbus and Boeing are a key plank of our strategy to navigate the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the CEO said. “They allow us to defer capital expenditure and recalibrate the rate at which we add capacity, aligning both with the projected recovery trajectory for international air travel.

“At the same time, they retain our commitment to operating new generation aircraft that will enable the SIA Group to continue offering greater comfort and innovative products to customers, further drive operating efficiency, and support ongoing efforts to materially lower our carbon emissions. These will help to cement our leadership position in the airline industry as it recovers from the pandemic,” he said.

Singapore Airlines now has 25 Airbus A320 Family, 15 Airbus A350-900, 31 Boeing 737-8, 20 Boeing 787 Family and 31 Boeing 777-9 aircraft on the order books.