United Airlines will suspend pilot hiring in May and June due to delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing Co., according to a memo seen by Reuters.
“Due to continued delays in aircraft certification and manufacturing delays at Boeing, United plans to slow down its pilot recruitment this year,” a memo shared with all pilots Thursday said. ing.
Boeing is facing intense scrutiny after a Jan. 5 accident in which a door plug on a brand new 737 MAX jet blew off during a flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration also banned the company from expanding production of its best-selling narrowbody jet, the 737 MAX.
United Airlines will not be able to grow at the pace expected in 2024 because of Boeing’s continued delays, according to the memo.
“We have contracted delivery of 80 MAX 10s this year alone, but those aircraft are not even certified yet, so it is impossible to know when they will arrive,” said Mark, Vice President of Flight Operations. said a memo from Champion and Vice President Kirk Limacher. Flight planning and development.
United Airlines has lowered its 2024 delivery forecast for the Boeing MAX 8 from 43 to 37 aircraft.
Also, according to last week’s annual report, 15 fewer MAX 9 units are expected to arrive this year.
Earlier this year, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the airline would build a new fleet plan that would not include the largest aircraft in the 737 MAX family, citing regulations and delivery delays.
New employee classes for United Airlines pilots are scheduled to resume in July, according to the memo.
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