Boeing’s 737 Max problem is the latest headache for airlines

Boeing’s announcement of a production quality issue that will delay deliveries of its popular 737 Max planes is causing more difficulties for airlines desperately seeking new aircraft to meet the demand of a rebound in air travel, just before the peak season.

The problem concerns two brackets in the aft fuselage of some 737 Max planes, including the Max 8, but Boeing has not disclosed the number of affected planes or the duration of the delay. The issue is not related to flight safety, but addressing it could require time-consuming additional work.

The current delivery schedule of the planes stretches to the second half of the decade, and Boeing has a backlog of 4,196 Max planes. Airlines already struggling with a global shortage of new aircraft may face further delays, which could also impact Boeing’s cash flow.

Southwest Airlines, which operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, and American Airlines have both reported discussing the problem with Boeing. United Airlines has said it does not expect any significant impact on its capacity plans for this summer or the rest of the year.