Enlarge image

In short supply:

United Airlines planes at the airport in Houston

Photo: Loren Elliott / REUTERS

The crisis of the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which was plagued by breakdowns, is now also having a negative impact on its trading partners. Because of delays in the delivery of new aircraft, United Airlines has asked its pilots to take time off in May. The airline had ordered the machines from Boeing, but the US company was unable to deliver them on time due to production problems.

Leslie Scott, an airline spokeswoman, said Monday that the vacation offer was voluntary. “Due to recent delays in Boeing deliveries, our forecast (flight hours) have been reduced and we are offering our pilots voluntary programs for the month of May to reduce excess staffing,” Scott said.

The airline expects to have to make similar requests over the summer and possibly into the fall, according to a message to pilots obtained by the AP news agency. Accordingly, United is offering its pilots short-term vacation and unpaid leave due to the lack of aircraft, but this is not mandatory. Meanwhile, Boeing declined to comment.

United no longer expects delivery of all the jets it has ordered

United does not expect to deliver all of the Boeing jets it has ordered this year or next. A month ago, the airline announced that it had contracted for 191 aircraft this year and 127 next year, of which only 88 were expected this year and 64 in 2025.

Almost the entire deficit consists of Boeing 737 Max aircraft, including a new, larger model. United had planned to fly 80 Max 10 jets this year. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet certified the Max 10, and FAA approval will likely be further delayed as Boeing faces increased scrutiny since the near-miss of an Alaska Airlines Max 9 in January. United is now considering options to replace orders for the Max 10.

Since the Alaska Airlines disaster, federal authorities have been investigating production quality issues at Boeing. The FAA has also blocked Boeing from increasing production of 737 Max jets.

Boeing announced last week that CEO

David Calhoun

, 66, will step down at the end of the year as part of a leadership transition at the company. The head of Boeing's commercial aircraft division has already been replaced and the CEO will not stand for re-election in May.

eru/AP