Boeing experienced the transfer of 27 aircraft to its customers last month amidst ongoing challenges in quality control and production delays, a predicament that has vexed the CEOs of some major airline clients.
Year to date, Boeing has completed deliveries of 54 planes, trailing behind Airbus, which has surged ahead by delivering 79 planes in the initial two months of 2024.
For airline executives, the delays in Boeing’s aircraft deliveries have posed significant challenges. Southwest Airlines, which exclusively operates Boeing 737s, announced on Tuesday a revision of its capacity plans for the year due to reduced Boeing Max deliveries.
Consequently, the airline will reassess its financial estimates for 2024. Meanwhile, United Airlines decided earlier this year to exclude the uncertified 737 Max 10 from its fleet plans.
Boeing’s deliveries in February comprised 17 Max jetliners and seven wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners. Timely deliveries hold critical importance for manufacturers, as customers typically pay the majority of the aircraft’s price upon receipt.
In terms of new orders, Boeing secured 15 gross orders for planes in February, while Airbus only managed to sell two.
Despite Boeing’s recent operational challenges, customer loyalty remains intact. Just last week, American Airlines disclosed an order for 260 narrow-body airplanes, distributed among Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer.
