Severe Airplane Shortages Plaguing Top Airline Carriers
Surges in travel demand and continuing supply chain deficits that have made it difficult to secure necessary parts have given way to an airplane shortage.
Travel demand has only increased since the re-opening of international travel corridors worldwide post-COVID-19 pandemic, and airlines have been struggling with the demand. This struggle has been ongoing for over a year, and it doesn’t seem like the end is near. Now airlines are stating that there may be an airplane shortage next year.
Since the pandemic, people have been making up for their lack of national and international holidays by booking several holidays annually. Over nearly two years, most of the world’s population was confined to the borders of their own country and, at various periods, their town or state.
Since then, people have been increasing their traveling, and airlines have been unable to keep up. While this demand is good for the travel sector, which was hit quite hard during the pandemic due to the travel bans, there have been many struggles to deal with the ongoing high levels of demand.
The travel sector has been widely criticized for its various problems since the re-opening. These problems include staffing shortages, baggage loss, and flight cancelations. Many of the airline staff were without a job during the pandemic. When the travel sector opened up again, they received other employment, leaving many airlines and airports needing more staff to function at an optimum rate.
This month, airline executives have stated that new airplanes have been ordered to keep up with demand but that there is a recent airplane shortage. This will limit any growth airlines can make, keeping travel prices at an all-time high.
Many airlines are receiving fewer aircraft than they have ordered due to supply issues. American Airlines has received 19 Boeing 373 planes, compared to their expected order of 27 aircraft previously discussed with the manufacturer. Jetblue Airlines will receive fewer planes than they ordered, with only 22 of the 29 planes delivered next year.
This airplane shortage and all their other problems could make it even harder to find the bargain-busting deals consumers are after.
Other companies such as Boeing and Airbus have all reinforced that the travel sector is dealing with supply chain and labor issues. Boeing has stated that they are continually trying to work with suppliers to combat any supply issues they might have. This will stabilize production and meet customers’ orders.
These supply issues have rippled throughout the manufacturing chain, including with engine manufacturers. These manufacturers are predicting that problems with supply will continue into next year and beyond as the global market continues to threaten a recession.
Travel is a sector of modern life that many people use to relax and remove themselves from the stresses of life for a short period. Most people did not realize how vital that relaxation is until the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, travel has been on everyone’s to-do list, and with this new airplane shortage, airlines cannot cope with the demand.
While the travel sector needs this boost to rescue any profits lost in from the pandemic, it just has not recovered completely yet. Hopefully, it will solve its problems next year, and travelers will regain their summertime holiday bargains.
