United Airlines Faces Staffing Challenges Amid Boeing Delivery Delays
United Airlines is seeking the cooperation of its pilots to take voluntary unpaid leave as a result of decreased flight capacity caused by delayed shipments of Boeing aircraft.
The airline's delivery setbacks follow a series of safety incidents involving United planes, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to heighten its supervision of the carrier.
"In light of the recent delays in Boeing deliveries, our projected block hours for 2024 have been scaled back, leading us to introduce voluntary programs for pilots in May to address surplus staffing," United stated in response to inquiries from CBS News.
While an airline representative refrained from disclosing specific program details, the Air Line Pilots Association, the pilots' union, disclosed that United is urging pilots to take unpaid leaves during May and potentially extending into the summer, as outlined in a memo shared with CBS News.
"Given the recent modifications to our Boeing deliveries, United's remaining 2024 forecasted block hours have been notably curtailed," the union remarked in a statement.
Boeing is currently facing challenges following an incident where a door panel detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max aircraft during a flight. A recent investigation by the FAA has also brought to light concerns about Boeing's manufacturing practices. Additionally, the company has undergone a management reorganization, with CEO Dave Calhoun slated to resign at the end of 2024 after just four years in the position.
Industry experts predict that Boeing's issues and the limited supply of aircraft may lead to an increase in prices for consumers as the summer travel season approaches.
