Boeing delivered just 348 aircraft in 2024, marking a steep decline from 2023’s figures as the aerospace giant grappled with manufacturing defects, labor strikes, and persistent supply chain issues.
The sharp drop in deliveries followed a critical safety incident early in the year when a panel detached from a 737 MAX during flight, triggering immediate regulatory scrutiny. Subsequent investigations revealed improperly secured components and broader quality control issues across the company’s production lines.
A massive labor strike in September further crippled the company’s operations when 33,000 workers in Washington state walked off the job, shutting down key factories for several weeks. Although the strike ended in November, the production disruption created lasting delays across multiple aircraft programs.
Supply chain problems compounded these challenges throughout the year, with shortages of critical components, particularly engines, creating significant production bottlenecks. These disruptions affected the entire aviation industry but hit Boeing especially hard as it struggled to recover from its other setbacks.
The company’s troubles extended to its newest aircraft program, with the 777X facing another delay. The wide-body jet, originally scheduled for earlier delivery, is now not expected to enter service until 2026, forcing airlines to revise their fleet plans amid growing post-pandemic travel demand.
The cascading effect of these problems has created significant challenges for airlines worldwide. Carriers counting on new aircraft deliveries to expand operations and meet increasing passenger demand have been forced to modify their growth strategies and seek alternative solutions.
As Boeing works to address these multiple challenges, industry experts suggest the recovery process could be lengthy. The company must simultaneously improve quality control measures, stabilize production, resolve labor issues, and strengthen its supply chain relationships to regain its footing in the commercial aviation market.