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Airline CEO’s Frustration Over Boeing Delay
In a recent interview with the Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr voiced his frustration over the prolonged wait for Boeing aircraft deliveries, echoing the sentiments of many other airline executives. Spohr expressed his annoyance at the delays, stating, “This is extremely annoying and costs us a lot, a lot of money,” although he did not specify the exact financial impact on the company.
Among Lufthansa’s fleet of 721 planes, 70 were manufactured by Boeing, with the majority of the remaining aircraft being supplied by Airbus, Boeing’s chief competitor. Despite the challenges posed by delayed deliveries, Spohr emphasized the importance of having two strong providers in the industry. He stated, “The industry needs two strong providers. Everyone has an interest in Boeing being able to build great aircraft more reliably again soon.”
Boeing’s Production Slowdown
Boeing’s production speed has been impacted following an incident in which a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines-operated 737 Max 9 plane in January. As regulators and law enforcement investigate the cause of the incident, Boeing has faced mounting scrutiny and challenges in clearing its order backlog. The heightened oversight has added to the existing difficulties faced by the company in meeting delivery timelines.
Despite these setbacks, Spohr expressed confidence in Boeing’s ability to overcome its current obstacles, stating, “I am sure that Boeing will get the problems under control.” Lufthansa is awaiting the delivery of 102 planes from Boeing, including 40 of the controversial 737 Max planes and 34 of the 787 Dreamliner models.
These Dreamliner models have faced increased scrutiny due to whistleblower criticisms regarding their build quality, as well as an investigation into falsified inspection reports. The ongoing challenges faced by Boeing have highlighted the importance of resolving production issues and ensuring timely deliveries to maintain trust and confidence among airline operators.
Conclusion
As the aviation industry navigates the challenges posed by delayed aircraft deliveries and manufacturing issues, airline CEOs like Carsten Spohr continue to advocate for a competitive market with multiple strong providers. While expressing frustration over the delays, industry leaders remain optimistic about Boeing’s ability to address its current challenges and deliver high-quality aircraft to meet the demands of the market.
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