Airlines

Boeing warns new defect on 787 Dreamliners will slow deliveries

The latest setback for the widebody plane, Boeing warned on Tuesday that it would have to slow down the delivery of the 787 Dreamliner after finding a new production defect that will cause it to inspect all 90 of the aircraft in its stock.

Although the recently discovered production snag does not endanger flight safety, it comes after a month-long 787 delivery halt that was overcome in March and causes Boeing to face yet another delay as it attempts to repair the aircraft before they can be delivered to customers.

According to the company, the issue is with a fitting for the horizontal stabilizer of the 787 that was put in by a Boeing production facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. A plane can maintain longitudinal balance while flying as a result to the horizontal stabilizer, which is situated near the base of the aircraft’s tail.

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The issue is the most recent in a string of manufacturing faults with Boeing aircraft that have halted or at least significantly slowed several aircraft deliveries, just as airlines demand for new aircraft to take advantage of the travel boom.

Earlier this year, due to a separate issue with a fuselage component on some 787s, Boeing temporarily halted delivery of the aircraft. According to Boeing, the most recent problem has no immediate impact on its forecast for Dreamliner deliveries for the entire year. Boeing predicted that it would deliver 70 to 80 of the aircraft this year.

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The US aircraft manufacturer has just recently recovered from minor structural flaws that prevented Dreamliner shipments in 2021 and 2022, as well as early this year’s suspension of 787 deliveries. In order to fulfill Calhoun’s objective of producing $10 billion in cash by 2025 or 2026, Boeing needs to expand production of the Dreamliner to a 10-jet monthly pace by the middle of the decade.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.