Summary
- United Airlines is deferring some Boeing 737 MAX 9 deliveries due to a safety audit by the FAA.
- The delays will have minimal impact on the airline’s capacity growth in 2024.
- The audits were initiated following a string of incidents involving United Airlines aircraft.
United Airlines executives have confirmed that the airline has deferred some Boeing 737 MAX 9 deliveries as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues auditing the airline’s safety processes following a string of incidents, including a runway excursion at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Minimal capacity impact
Speaking during the airline’s Q1 2024 earnings call, Brett Hart, the President of United Airlines, said that, as mentioned by Scott Kirby, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the carrier, the airline has begun “an in-depth review of our processes and procedures” with the FAA. Hart added that these audits provided a chance for United Airlines to reaffirm its commitment to safety.
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
Nevertheless, the executive stated that certifications will be delayed as the airline continues working with the regulator. As a result, United Airlines expected a “small number” of aircraft that were supposed to be delivered in Q2 2024 to be delayed. However, Hart said that this would have a “minimal impact” on the airline’s planned capacity growth during the year.
“I am confident that we will be able to successfully look back on this review process, resulting in an even better airline for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”
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Fewer 737 MAX deliveries from Boeing
When United Airlines filed its 2023 results on February 28, it detailed that it had 159 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, split between 80 737 MAX 8 and 79 737 MAX 9, and four A321neos. As of April 16, its fleet grew to 166 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and seven A321neos.
As of December 31, the carrier had expected to take delivery of 37 737 MAX 8, 19 737 MAX 9, and 25 A321neo aircraft in 2024. By April 16, following seven 737 MAX and three A321neo deliveries in Q1 2024, it now predicted that Boeing would deliver 19 737 MAX 8 and ten 737 MAX 9, while United Airlines would take 22 A321neo aircraft during the remainder of the year.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
In Q2 2024, United Airlines estimated that its Boeing 737 MAX fleet would grow by six aircraft, while its Airbus A321neo fleet would grow by five units Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ). The airline does not plan to take delivery of any other aircraft types during Q2 2024.
The numbers do not include contractual aircraft delivery schedules. However, some of these Boeing 737 MAX delivery delays are due to no fault of United Airlines, with Boeing also struggling to deliver aircraft amid scrutiny of its manufacturing processes following the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 incident in January.
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String of safety incidents
During the past few months, United Airlines has suffered numerous incidents that have seeped into mainstream media, prompting the FAA to scrutinize the airline and its processes. This included a runway excursion at IAH, where a Boeing 737 MAX 9 slid off the runway as it attempted to slow down for a turn onto the taxiway.
Photo: NTSB
Other incidents during the year included stuck rudder pedals on a Boeing 737 MAX 8, an engine failure on a 737-900, a mid-flight panel loss on a 737-800, severe wing slat damage on a 757, hydraulic failure on an Airbus A320, as well as others.
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