The CEO of Lufthansa, Carsten Spohr, has described the impact of aircraft delivery delays as "brutal" on the airline, stating that the issues are unlikely to be resolved before the end of the decade. Speaking at the business press club in Stuttgart, Spohr estimated that the aircraft shortage could be costing Lufthansa around €500 million ($535 million) a year, although he did not provide an exact figure.
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Lufthansa has ordered 250 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing to modernize its fleet, with deliveries scheduled between 2024 and 2029. However, Spohr stated that "no plane arrives on time," adding that around 100 of Lufthansa's 750 aircraft were grounded either for maintenance reasons or because they had been decommissioned. Earlier this week, Airbus lowered its forecast for deliveries this year to around 770 jets from around 800. Meanwhile, a series of incidents at Boeing have increased regulatory scrutiny of the U.S. manufacturer, adding to delays in deliveries that originated during the pandemic.
The aircraft delivery delays are having a significant impact on Lufthansa's operations and finances. The airline is facing a shortage of aircraft, which is affecting its ability to meet demand and could be costing it a substantial amount of money each year. The delays are also disrupting Lufthansa's fleet modernization plans and could have long-term consequences for the airline. The issues facing Lufthansa are part of a broader trend in the aviation industry, where aircraft manufacturers are struggling to meet delivery deadlines due to supply chain disruptions and other challenges. These delays are having a significant impact on airlines around the world, affecting their operations, finances, and ability to meet passenger demand.
The situation highlights the importance of effective supply chain management and the need for manufacturers to ensure that they can meet delivery deadlines. It also underscores the challenges facing the aviation industry as it recovers from the impact of the pandemic and works to meet the growing demand for air travel. Lufthansa's experience with aircraft delivery delays serves as a warning to other airlines and manufacturers about the potential consequences of failing to manage supply chain issues effectively. It also highlights the need for the aviation industry to work together to address these challenges and ensure that it can meet the demands of the future.