Boeing has not received any orders for its 737 Max jet for the second month in a row. This marks a significant downturn for the company, which is facing mounting safety concerns and federal investigations.
In May, Boeing secured only four new plane orders. None of these were for the 737 Max, once its best-selling aircraft. The same happened in April, showing a worrying trend for the aerospace giant.
The company’s troubles began in January when a side panel on a 737 Max blew out during a flight. This incident sparked a federal investigation into Boeing’s safety protocols. Reports have emerged of shortcuts in production and falsified inspection records.
Despite these issues, Boeing delivered 24 jets in May. This includes 19 Max jets, mainly to Ryanair and Alaska Airlines. However, competitor Airbus outperformed Boeing by delivering 53 planes and securing 15 net new orders.
Boeing’s safety problems have attracted significant attention. Dozens of whistleblowers have come forward, raising concerns about the quality of Boeing’s planes. A congressional committee heard testimony about a “culture of retaliation” against employees who speak up about safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted Boeing’s production of the 737 Max due to safety issues. This decision came after a door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines Max, adding to the company’s woes.
Boeing still has a backlog of over 5,600 orders, but the current sales slump highlights ongoing challenges. Lawyers representing whistleblowers emphasize that these employees want to improve the company’s safety standards, not bring it down.
Meanwhile, Boeing yesterday announced that it has delivered 10th Boeing 737 Max to Caribbean carrier Arajet. “This tenth aircraft is unique, not only because it has a special Dominican ribbon painted on the fuselage, but because it will increase the number of connections we make with the continent. We are reaffirming our commitment to democratize the skies and be able to connect all our countries with the lowest possible prices,” said Victor Pacheco Méndez, CEO and founder of Arajet.
Since launching in 2022, Arajet has grown its all-737 MAX fleet to serve 23 destinations in 16 countries, including Canada, Mexico and Argentina. Arajet’s performance earned it recognition as the Startup Airline of the year at the World Aviation Summit in 2023.
Boeing’s leadership remains optimistic, hoping the upcoming Farnborough International Airshow will boost sales. However, the safety concerns and production issues will need to be addressed to regain trust and restore the company’s reputation.
