Allegiant, a low-cost U.S. carrier, has recently announced that it expects fewer aircraft deliveries from Boeing this year. This announcement comes as Boeing, a major U.S. planemaker, faces quality issues that have raised concerns in the aviation industry. The President of Allegiant, Greg Anderson, revealed in an interview that the Las Vegas-based airline was scheduled to receive 24 MAX planes in 2024. However, due to the ongoing issues, the company is now working on the assumption that it will receive closer to 12 aircraft this year.
.gif)
Boeing has been grappling with the fallout of a frightening incident last month when a cabin panel tore off of a 737 MAX 9 jet mid-flight. This incident has led to increased scrutiny by regulators and lawmakers and has had a ripple effect on the industry. Several air carriers have stated that they are considering adjusting schedules or keeping older planes in service longer. In 2022, Allegiant placed an order for 50 of Boeing's best-selling single-aisle 737 MAX planes, rejecting offers from traditional supplier Airbus. It was scheduled to take delivery of 10 of the jets in 2023, 24 in 2024, and 16 in 2025. Allegiant has traditionally relied on less expensive second-hand planes. With the introduction of MAX planes, it is expected to launch new routes and reduce operating costs.
The head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has asked Boeing to develop a comprehensive action plan to address "systemic quality-control issues" within 90 days. This raises fresh questions as to how long the cap on production would last. The delays have prompted Allegiant to reactivate a few of its used Airbus A320s that it was planning to retire to boost capacity during the summer peak flying season. Allegiant plans to boost capacity by 2% to 6% in 2024 from a year ago and the reactivation of older jets means the delays "shouldn't impact our capacity plans," Anderson said.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by airlines and aircraft manufacturers in maintaining quality and safety standards. It underscores the importance of rigorous quality control processes and the need for effective communication between manufacturers and airlines. As the situation unfolds, the aviation industry will be watching closely to see how Boeing addresses these issues and what steps it takes to ensure the safety and reliability of its aircraft.