Analysis-Boeing's latest MAX problem creates more headache for airlines
By Rajesh Kumar Singh, Tim Hepher and Allison Lampert
CHICAGO (Reuters) — A cabin blowout at 16,000 feet and the grounding of more than 170 Boeing (NYSE:BA) jets have rekindled frustration among airlines over the planemaker's struggle to contain a series of safety and supply crises, industry officials and experts said.
Alaska Airlines, which operated Friday's domestic U.S. flight, and United Airlines together have 70% of the MAX 9 fleet and have canceled hundreds of flights.
And with provisional checks turning up loose bolts in some of the grounded planes, the return to service could be delayed, with implications for the earnings of both airlines.
Some analysts have already trimmed first-quarter profit estimates for both the carriers. However, the scale of impact depends on how long the planes remain grounded.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun on Tuesday acknowledged mistakes and told staff he and many customers had been «shaken to the bone.» Boeing must work to earn their confidence, he said.
«In the next couple of weeks, we will be under siege,» Calhoun warned, according to people familiar with his remarks.
The siege may be felt in the media, investigation labs or the corridors of Congress — but also in boardrooms of some of the world's largest airlines, according to executives.
That could also increase pressure for further discounts to win new sales — though the market for new planes remains tight and long lead times additionally mean prices usually creep up again to cover inflation, airline and market sources said.
«Enough is enough,» said Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL)' pilots union. «There's a deeper systemic problem at Boeing.»
United, forced to ground 79 jets for which it had sold seats, is
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