Boeing (NYSE:BA) has reportedly informed some 737 Max customers that aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026 will face further delays, highlighting ongoing challenges in the production of its key jetliner.
The planemaker’s shares fell 0.5% in premarket trading Friday.
According to Bloomberg News, Boeing has indicated that delivery timelines are slipping by an additional three to six months beyond the already delayed schedules. In some cases, deliveries expected next year are now pushed into 2026.
A Boeing spokeswoman declined to respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment, citing the company’s quiet period before its July 31 earnings release.
Delays have become commonplace in the aerospace industry as manufacturers and engine suppliers deal with disrupted supply chains, worker turnover, and other issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scarcity of new jets is expected to be a major discussion point at the Farnborough International Airshow starting July 22, shifting focus from the usual flurry of sales announcements.
Boeing’s archrival Airbus has also been cautioning airlines about possible delays over the next two years, according to a Bloomberg report last month. The company had previously informed investors that it would miss its 2024 delivery targets.
These constraints have compelled airlines to scale back their expansion plans and prompted a surge in demand for used jets, which would typically be destined for storage in desert facilities.
Boeing has scaled back production following a near-catastrophic incident involving a 737 Max jetliner in January. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stipulated that Boeing cannot increase production beyond 38 jets per month until it is satisfied with the company's quality controls and supply chain reliability.
Despite these hurdles, Boeing saw a slight increase in output, delivering its highest monthly total in June since the January incident.