Boeing's Challenging 2024: Record Deliveries Amid Safety Scares and Production Cuts
Boeing, the American multinational corporation, faced a series of challenges in 2024. In October, CEO Kelly Ortberg initiated production cuts due to an ongoing crisis. Meanwhile, a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft returned to Portland in January, experiencing decompression due to a faulty left door seal. Despite these issues, Boeing broke its record for delivering the most aircraft of a single model in October, with another plane delivered to Saudi airline Flynas.
The year began with a safety scare for Boeing. In January 2024, a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft had to return to Portland due to a left door seal causing decompression. This incident highlighted the ongoing concerns surrounding the 737 MAX, which was grounded in 2019 following two fatal crashes. Towards the end of September 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Boeing had started developing a new aircraft to replace the troubled 737 MAX. However, no specific airline has received the first example of this new aircraft yet, as Boeing is still in the early stages of development.
In March 2024, a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 landed in Oregon without part of its fuselage, raising further safety concerns. Boeing's production woes continued throughout the year. In September 2024, the company warned of decreased orders for its models 737, 767, and 777. This decrease in orders, coupled with the ongoing crisis, led CEO Kelly Ortberg to begin cutting production in October 2024.
Meanwhile, Boeing's rival Airbus celebrated a significant milestone. The Airbus A320, a family of narrow-body aircraft for medium-haul routes, has seen over 12,260 aircraft delivered worldwide since its introduction in 1988. Known for being the first commercial passenger aircraft to feature a fly-by-wire system, the A320 continues to be a popular choice for airlines.
Boeing's 2024 was marked by challenges and setbacks, from safety incidents to decreasing orders and production cuts. Despite these hurdles, the company managed to break its delivery record with the 737 MAX. As Boeing works on a successor to the troubled 737 MAX, the aviation industry eagerly awaits the outcome of these developments. Meanwhile, Airbus continues to soar with its popular A320 family, demonstrating the resilience and innovation of the aerospace sector.
