Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Dallas, announced plans to reduce flight capacity due to delays in Boeing jet deliveries, according to a filing released on Tuesday. Originally slated to receive 79 Boeing Max planes this year, the airline now anticipates only 46 deliveries.
The airline’s decision to cut flight capacity, primarily affecting the summer travel season, reflects adjustments made in response to Boeing’s production challenges. Southwest also intends to scale back pilot and flight attendant hiring efforts this year to mitigate costs.
Southwest Airlines relies exclusively on Boeing aircraft, making delays with the manufacturer particularly impactful. Boeing’s efforts to address quality issues, following an incident where a door plug dislodged during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, have slowed production.
Recent findings from a federal safety probe revealed numerous manufacturing issues with Boeing’s 737 Max jets. Boeing responded to the audit, pledging to address any violations of manufacturing procedures among its workforce.
As a result of production delays, Boeing’s airplane deliveries have decreased this year compared to the same period last year. Southwest isn’t the sole carrier grappling with Boeing’s challenges; United Airlines is contemplating new aircraft purchases from Boeing competitor Airbus.
On the other hand, American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, recently placed an order for 85 Boeing Max 10s, expecting delivery by 2028. Boeing’s CEO, Stan Deal, expressed appreciation for American Airlines’ confidence in the 737 Max family, highlighting the order’s benefits for the airline’s operational efficiency and flexibility.
