Holidaymakers hoping to escape to their summer destinations may face travel disruption due to a shortage of aircraft. Safety incidents involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft earlier this year have sparked a series of investigations and delivery delays, leaving airlines struggling to secure enough aircraft for the peak season.
In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft experienced a mid-air incident involving a blown-out mid-cabin exit door panel, prompting investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This has resulted in a backlog of orders for Boeing, leading to missed and extended delivery deadlines and disgruntled customers such as budget airline Ryanair.
Adding to the supply chain constraints, aircraft manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has recently recalled hundreds of Airbus engines due to a manufacturing issue. This is expected to impact short-haul planes and could ground several airlines using aircraft with these engines for an extended period in the coming years.
Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, has warned of an increased risk of flight cancellations and reduced schedules in the coming months. As a result, popular summer destinations such as Mallorca, Dalaman, Corfu, Lanzarote, and Nice are likely to see surging flight prices, potentially exceeding £1,000 per person.
Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman of Avia Solutions Group, expressed concerns about the desperation for aircraft amidst the production problems, highlighting the potential for cancellations in a dislocated system.
Ryanair, one of the airlines affected by the delays, has been particularly critical of Boeing’s management. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has previously stated that Boeing management was “running around like headless chickens” due to their inability to deliver aircraft on time.
Despite the recent safety concerns, Boeing has been facing delivery issues since 2022. With the added impact of the Airbus engine recalls, the shortage of aircraft is expected to cause significant travel disruptions for holidaymakers this summer.
