Airlines forced to furlough crews as Boeing, Airbus delivery delays disrupt plans

Delays in aircraft deliveries from industry giants Boeing and Airbus are causing significant disruptions for airlines, forcing some to place their crews on temporary leave and scale back ambitious expansion plans, Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), who spoke at a conference in Amsterdam.

Walsh added, "We are already seeing airlines grant temporary leave to pilots and crew, not because of weak demand, but due to delays in receiving the aircraft they had been expecting." While he did not name specific airlines, the impact of these delivery setbacks is being felt throughout the global aviation sector.

Boeing, which had already reduced production following a near-catastrophic incident in January, faced further disruption when 33,000 workers at its Seattle-area plants went on strike, halting production of its flagship 737 Max, Reuters reported.

Airbus, meanwhile, continues to struggle with ongoing supply chain challenges and may be forced to revise down its annual delivery targets once again, according to Reuters.

Walsh pointed out that these manufacturing slowdowns are frustrating airlines, preventing them from effectively planning for fleet expansions with new aircraft.

European budget carrier Ryanair has already slashed its annual passenger targets and reduced some flights due to Boeing’s delivery delays, Reuters reported.

Similarly, Wizz Air announced that its ambitious goal of reaching 500 aircraft by 2030 may now be delayed to 2031 or 2032, citing supply chain problems.

Airlines are now revising their growth strategies, with Walsh noting that many have adjusted their 2026 expansion plans and are "less likely to commit to further growth" over the next two years due to persistent supply chain disruptions. "I expect these challenges will continue for several years," Walsh added, suggesting that the global aviation industry could face prolonged difficulties in managing fleet growth and meeting passenger demand.

With airlines caught between rising demand for travel and the logistical hurdles posed by delayed aircraft deliveries, the pressure on manufacturers to resolve these issues continues to mount, further complicating the road ahead for the aviation sector.