United Airlines is asking its pilots to take unpaid leave starting next month due to a shortage of new Boeing jets. Boeing is delaying deliveries of its 737 Max jets due to manufacturing concerns.
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United Airlines is asking pilots to take unpaid leave starting next month due to a shortage of new Boeing jets. Boeing is delaying deliveries of its 737 Max jets due to manufacturing concerns.
Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images
WASHINGTON — United Airlines is asking its pilots to take unpaid leave next month after receiving fewer new planes from Boeing Co. than expected.
In a statement to NPR, a United spokesperson said, “To reduce overstaffing, we are offering a voluntary program to our pilots during the month of May,” and that the decision is due to “recent Boeing deliveries. This was due to “delays”.
United Airlines says there is no need to reduce flights.
The pilot layoff efforts are the latest sign that production problems at Boeing and its suppliers are spilling over into the airline industry. The company was forced to cut deliveries of its 737 Max jets after a door plug panel exploded mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.
Federal investigators said four key bolts were missing when the plane left the Boeing factory last year.
Boeing is slowing production at a factory near Seattle to focus on quality and safety as Federal Aviation Administration regulators require the company and its suppliers to plan to fix widespread manufacturing issues. He said there was.
Federal regulators are investigating manufacturing issues at Boeing and its suppliers after a 737 MAX door plug panel exploded in midair in January. Boeing said it is slowing production at a factory near Seattle to focus on quality and safety.
Jovelle Tamayo (NPR)
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Jovelle Tamayo (NPR)
Federal regulators are investigating manufacturing issues at Boeing and its suppliers after a 737 MAX door plug panel exploded in midair in January. Boeing said it is slowing production at a factory near Seattle to focus on quality and safety.
Jovelle Tamayo (NPR)
The launch of the larger 737 Max 10 model has also been postponed indefinitely. United had expected to begin accepting these jets this year, but is now considering other options for replacement aircraft.
“Deliveries will be much slower than expected,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said at an investor conference last month, adding that the airline is considering buying additional planes from Boeing rival Airbus. admitted that it was.
Still, Kirby said he believes Boeing can solve its manufacturing problems in the long run.
“I would love to have those delivered, but you know, this is not a 12-monthly issue,” Kirby said. “This is a 20-year problem. I’d rather Boeing do what it needs to do.”
Boeing announced last week that Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun will retire at the end of the year. The airline declined to comment on United’s efforts to reduce its pilot workforce.
