United Airlines is facing delays in Boeing deliveries and is asking its pilots to take voluntary unpaid leave in May. This is due to a reduction in forecasted block hours for 2024, leading to excess staffing. The industry is also warning of a potential mass pilot shortage as the workforce ages out following widespread furloughs during Covid-19. The voluntary programs may extend into summer and fall, with the company still providing some benefits to pilots while they are on leave.
The fallout from Boeing’s production crisis is impacting United Airlines operations, particularly because 81% of its mainline operations use Boeing jets. The Federal Aviation Administration is taking a closer look at United following a series of incidents at the airline. United CEO Scott Kirby has mentioned the possibility of purchasing more jets from Boeing competitor Airbus and has expressed concerns about getting deliveries of the Boeing 737 Max 10 in the foreseeable future. United has a larger fleet of Boeings compared to its competitors American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, with the delivery issues reported to pertain to the 787 and 737 fleets.
Recent incidents involving United Boeing planes include one landing in Medford, Oregon with an external panel missing, a plane spewing flames from an engine, one sliding off the runway, another losing a wheel during takeoff, and one trailing hydraulic fluid. While these incidents are unrelated, United CEO Scott Kirby has stated that they have sharpened the airline’s focus on safety. Boeing has been under scrutiny since the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 incident.
During the pandemic, airlines offered tens of thousands of furloughs and voluntary buyouts due to a lack of flying. This is not the first time United Airlines has attempted to cut pilots, and the current situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the industry. United is looking at various measures to address the delivery delays and maintain operational efficiency amidst the changing landscape of air travel. The voluntary unpaid leave program in May is one of the steps being taken to manage the impact of the Boeing production crisis on the airline’s operations.
