The aviation industry is bracing for another year of difficulties, with delivery delays at Boeing and supply chain problems set to continue into 2025, according to aviation consultants. The problems at Boeing have been ongoing since a door panel blew off a 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines last year, leading to renewed questions about the company’s quality and safety standards.
Boeing has implemented changes, including mandatory workforce training and increased inspections, but critics argue that it is still not enough. Mike Boyd, president and co-founder of aviation consulting firm Boyd Group International, believes that the entire board of directors should have been fired, and that the company’s problems run deep.
The delays are affecting not just Boeing, but also its customers. Airlines such as Southwest, Wizz Air, and Ryanair are struggling to cope with the delivery delays, which has forced them to spend money they had not budgeted for to overhaul planes they had planned to retire.
Pete Buttigieg, the US transportation secretary, believes that Boeing has “much more” work to do to improve its safety record. John Grant, chief analyst at OAG, suggests that tangible improvements at Boeing are unlikely to be seen before the end of 2025.
The problems in the aviation industry are not limited to Boeing, with other manufacturers, such as Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce, also experiencing issues with supply chain problems and engine maintenance. Airfares are likely to increase in 2025, with Scott Keyes, founder of the air travel website Going, predicting a 5% increase.
However, Brendan Sobie, an independent analyst, believes that the industry will see some improvement in 2025, driven by an increase in flights in the Asia-Pacific region, where the industry is still recovering from the Covid pandemic.