KUALA LUMPUR – Alaska Airlines is expected to lose at least US$50 million (RM236.5 million) after the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft as a response to the door plug that blew off mid-flight on January 5 and tore a hole in the fuselage.
The projected loss was noted in a securities filing, and the growth capacity will either hover or be lower than its previous estimates.
The grounding had forced Alaska Airlines to cancel 3,000 flights in January, as it had 65 planes affected by the grounding.
“The first of our 737-9 MAX will resume flying on Friday, January 26, with more planes added every day as inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy. We expect inspections on all our 737-9 MAX to be completed over the next week,” said the airline.
Days ago, United Airlines also predicted a loss in its first quarter due to the grounding, as the carrier is a big MAX 9 user. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines lowered its forecast for 2024 “due to Boeing’s continued supply chain challenges”.
Alaska Airlines chief executive officer Ben Minicucci had said the carrier will hold Boeing accountable in terms of aircraft delivery and quality.
Yesterday, the FAA ordered a thorough inspection and maintenance process on each of the 171 grounded Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft before they are allowed to return to service.
Boeing would also not be granted any production expansion of the MAX, including the 737-9 MAX, the regulator added, on top of the investigation and ramped-up oversight of the planemaker and its suppliers.
Following the completion of the enhanced maintenance and inspection process on each aircraft, the door plugs on the 737-9 MAX will be in compliance with the original design, which is safe to operate. This aircraft will not operate until the process is complete and compliance with the original design is confirmed.
The enhanced maintenance process will require an inspection of specific bolts, guide tracks, and fittings, detailed visual inspections of left and right mid-cabin exit door plugs and dozens of associated components, retorquing fasteners, and correcting any damage or abnormal conditions.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, where a door plug flew off mid-flight, continues. – January 26, 2024
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