Air India and Akasa Air’s fleet expansion plans might hit a bump with Boeing detecting issues with manufacturing of its 737 MAX jets, CNBC TV18 reports. As per the report, Boeing is in contact with its customers concerning delivery schedule.
Air India’s jumbo deal includes 190 737 MAX jets while Akasa Air too has an order of 72 MAX jets to be delivered by March 2027.
The report said that a supplier used non-conforming fittings in the aft fuselage section.
"The manufacturing issue is likely to affect significant number of undelivered 737 MAX planes," the report said.
Earlier this month, Boeing indicated that near-term deliveries of the 737 MAX will slow as the company grapples with a new manufacturing problem involving fuselages built by Spirit AeroSystems.
However, Dave Calhoun, CEO, said: “Boeing’s long-term guidance for the 2025-2026 timeframe, which calls for the company to achieve about $10 billion in free cash flow and to produce about 50 737 MAXs per month, remains unchanged.”
Boeing is expected to further detail the fallout of the problem during first quarter earnings on April 26.