Boeing Third Quarter’s Aircraft Deliveries and the Impact of Striking Workers

Boeing aircraft deliveries statistics for the third quarter of 2024 showcases a strong performance despite the challenges posed by an ongoing worker strike. The company delivered 116 aircraft during the quarter, with September alone accounting for over 30 of these. However, the strike could significantly impact future production and deliveries, with Boeing already anticipating a dip in numbers for October.

Third Quarter Deliveries: Boeing’s Performance Breakdown

In its third-quarter delivery report, Boeing confirmed that it had delivered a total of 116 commercial aircraft. As expected, the Boeing 737 MAX, the company’s popular narrowbody plane, led the way with 92 deliveries. Alongside these, Boeing handed over six 767s, four 777s, and 14 787s. This brought Boeing aircraft deliveries total for the year to 291 commercial aircraft deliveries.

Despite the strike’s challenges, Boeing managed to meet its commitments, albeit with some adjustments. Several of the aircraft delivered in this quarter were either new models or required rework due to previous issues. Additionally, many pre-produced 737 MAXs contributed to the delivery figures. Boeing’s factories in the Pacific Northwest, while impacted by the strike, managed to deliver aircraft with the assistance of non-striking workers.

September Boeing Aircraft Deliveries: A Month of Stability Amidst Turmoil

Boeing delivered 33 aircraft in September, a slight drop from the 40 delivered in August. The company has successfully maintained a steady delivery rate of over 30 jets per month for four consecutive months, thanks to the already-produced 737 MAX planes. In September, 27 of the deliveries were MAX planes destined for major customers such as Ryanair, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

Maintaining this level of output during a worker strike is significant, especially as the company’s profitability largely depends on the successful handover of airplanes to customers. As the strike extends into October, any further disruptions are likely to impact Boeing’s financial health.

Boeing’s Orders in September: High Demand for the 737 MAX and Freighters

Despite the ongoing production issues, Boeing managed to secure 65 gross orders in September. The bulk of these, over 50, were for the 737 MAX planes, which remain highly sought after by airlines around the world. Additionally, Boeing received orders for 11 777 freighters, though the specific customers for these orders have not been publicly disclosed.

These orders reflect the ongoing demand for Boeing’s aircraft, even amidst labor disruptions. However, with delivery numbers at risk of falling, the company’s ability to fulfill these orders in a timely manner is uncertain.

October and Beyond: The Impact of the Worker Strike

Looking ahead, industry experts are expressing concern that Boeing may not be able to sustain its current delivery rates if the machinist strike continues. The strike, which involves around 33,000 workers at Boeing’s West Coast factories, has lasted for nearly a month with no resolution in sight.

Read more about Boeing’s machinist strike:

Negotiations between Boeing management and the union have so far been fruitless. In a recent update, Boeing Commercial Airplanes head Stephanie Pope informed employees that the company had withdrawn its latest pay offer after the union failed to engage seriously in the negotiations. Pope further noted that no additional negotiations are planned for the time being.

This standoff has caused significant disruption to Boeing’s production lines, and while the company has managed to deliver aircraft so far, it remains unlikely that it will be able to maintain similar figures in the weeks and months to come if the strike continues.

Boeing’s Challenge to Balance Deliveries and Worker Relations

Boeing third-quarter’s aircraft delivery performance reflects the company’s resilience and ability to adapt under challenging conditions. However, the worker strike remains a critical issue that could severely impact Boeing’s delivery numbers moving forward. With no clear resolution to the labor dispute, the company’s delivery targets for October and beyond are uncertain, leaving both analysts and customers watching closely. Boeing is scheduled to release its detailed third-quarter financial results on October 23, which will likely shed more light on the full impact of the strike on its bottom line.

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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