What Happened
Delivery Delays And Supply Chain Issues Continue To Impact Fleet Expansion
Airlines waiting for new airplanes will face several more years of delivery shortages due to engine availability, supplier bottlenecks, and certification delays. According to Cirium’s annual fleet forecast, manufacturers will remain unable to meet airline demand throughout the remainder of the 2020s. The forecast expects about 43,000 deliveries of new commercial passenger and cargo aircraft between 2026 and 2045, worth $3.2 trillion. This shortage is already causing airlines to keep older planes flying longer, resulting in higher maintenance costs and lease rates. The International Air Transport Association has urged manufacturers to provide earlier warnings of delays and give airlines more options for obtaining approved parts and repairs. This report was first published by AeroTime.