Airlines in the United States are warning that delays in deliveries of Boeing aircraft could result in the “scuttling” of their plans to increase capacity.
According to Reuters, carriers across the US are concerned that they will not be able to meet growing travel demand after Boeing’s lowered expectations for deliveries this year due to the heavy scrutiny the manufacturer is undergoing related to a number of quality and safety issues.
Boeing is under the microscope of the US government and the relevant aviation agencies, following the January 5 incident in which an Alaska Airlines aircraft lost a door plug during a flight, leaving a huge hole in the side of the fuselage.
Southwest Airlines announced last week that it expects 42% fewer Max aircraft deliveries this year, which could reduce the carrier’s capacity in 2024.
For his part, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby also said that “Boeing deliveries will be much lower this year”.
In response, Boeing told Southwest Airlines that it will deliver 46 Max 8s to the airline this year, fewer than the 79 aircraft originally committed. The order does not include Max 7s, which are currently awaiting certification.
Meanwhile, United Airlines and other carriers have begun working with Airbus to fill the potential delivery gap.
Airbus produces about 50 single-aisle aircraft a month, according to previous Reuters reports, with its CEO stating in February that the company is on track to meet a key production target of 75 narrow-body aircraft a month in 2026.
This all comes as Boeing is in talks to acquire its former subsidiary Spirit AeroSystems, as the Wichita-based company has also faced significant production delays and balance sheet hits.