US airlines expect reduction in aircraft deliveries due to Boeing problems

Several American airlines at once statedthat they expect a reduction in aircraft deliveries in 2024 due to Boeing’s problems. Today, March 12, Southwest Airlines announced that it has been informed by Boeing that it will only be able to take delivery of 46 737 MAX 8 aircraft this year, down from an expected 79. The airline said this will require it to change its schedule for the year, especially for the second half of the year. Because of this, Southwest downgraded its forecast for financial results for 2024.

“Boeing deliveries this year will be far behind (planned.— “Kommersant”),” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said today. Alaska Air also recently said it was revising its plans for the year due to delays in deliveries of Boeing aircraft. Southwest shares fell almost 14% today, United Airlines fell almost 3%.

Boeing’s problems arose after an incident in early January when an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 escape hatch plug fell off, causing the cabin to depressurize. Today The New York Times wrotethat the US Federal Aviation Administration has discovered dozens of violations in the production processes of the 737 MAX. In January the regulator statedwhich will not allow the expansion of 737 MAX production until inspections are completed.

Yana Rozhdestvenskaya