The delivery halt lasted several weeks due to an "analysis error" by a supplier concerning a fuselage component, as reported by Reuters news agency. However, Boeing reassured that this issue did not pose a safety threat.
Boeing's Dreamliner has faced multiple delivery interruptions. The first occurred in 2019 when engineers discovered minuscule gaps in the aircraft's fuselage, resulting in the grounding of eight Dreamliners. This led to an FAA investigation and a temporary delivery pause in October 2020. Deliveries didn't resume until March 2021.
Additional production issues and concerns regarding the jet's inspection method prompted the American regulator to halt deliveries once more, a pause that extended for 15 months until August 2022. According to the Wall Street Journal, 120 jets worth a combined $25 billion could not be delivered during this time.
Boeing 787's appeal lies in its fuel efficiency, versatility, and passenger comfort
Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, said that this inconsistency raises doubts about Boeing's ability to meet delivery deadlines. As a result, airlines might consider alternative aircraft, such as the Airbus A350.
Short delays are manageable for airlines, but when delays span several months, their schedules and business plans are disrupted, as they are built around anticipated aircraft deliveries.
On March 31, American Airlines announced that it had to cancel its upcoming Philadelphia - Madrid route due to the lack of available 787s, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The airline had to make similar cuts to international flights last year for the same reason.
Despite the recent pause, the company does not expect any changes to its production and delivery outlook for the year.
Boeing has received a substantial number of Dreamliner orders in the past four months alone, totaling approximately 200 aircraft. These include 100 from United Airlines, 20 from Air India, and 78 from two Saudi Arabian carriers in a deal valued at $37 billion.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told Reuters in mid-March that the demand for 787s was the largest he had ever seen, and the company informed Insider that it anticipates delivering 70-80 Dreamliners in 2023.
With the order book growing, Boeing aims to raise production to 10 jets per month by 2026, while addressing potential supply chain challenges. The current production rate is less than a third of this target.
The American planemaker stated that it would continue to produce at a slow rate as the increase rate is back to five per month.
Boeing requires sufficient factory space, employees, and materials to ramp up production significantly. However, external factors may hinder production.
FAA's strict response to Dreamliner issues is connected to the 737 MAX tragedies in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people.
