In the wake of a panel blow-out incident during an Alaska Air Flight earlier this month, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an order mandating the grounding of Boeing 737-900 Max aircraft. This directive has sent shockwaves through the airline industry, affecting a significant number of flights scheduled for the upcoming week.
According to data from OAG, a leading platform for global travel industry information, a total of 4,324 flights were scheduled to be operated using the affected aircraft variant starting from January 8th. Among the nine airlines currently operating the Boeing 737-900 Max, United and Alaska Airlines were set to bear the brunt, collectively accounting for two-thirds of all affected flights.
Interestingly, COPA Airlines, a Panama-based carrier, had 77 flights scheduled to US destinations, and Aeromexico had an additional 64 flights planned, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Lion Air and Air Company Scat, which operate the aircraft with an additional emergency exit configuration, have a slight advantage in terms of the current issue. Their operating setup, different from the “window plug” variant affected by the panel blow-out problem, is expected to ease the impact. Nevertheless, both airlines are likely to conduct precautionary checks on their aircraft.
An analysis of the data reveals the disproportionate impact on different carriers. Icelandair emerges as the most affected airline, with 29% of their planned Boeing 737 program operated on the affected variant. Alaska and COPA Airlines face a potential one-in-four flight issue, with a significant portion of their schedules disrupted.
The fallout from the FAA directive was evident in the cancellation rates of affected carriers. Alaska Airlines, which experienced a cancellation rate of less than 1%, saw a sudden spike to around 15% of all planned services. On the other hand, United, with its larger and more diverse fleet, reported a 4.27% cancellation rate on January 6th, reflecting a less severe impact compared to some of its counterparts.
As airlines scramble to comply with safety inspections mandated by the FAA, passengers are advised to check the status of their flights and make necessary arrangements for potential disruptions. The grounding of the Boeing 737-900 Max aircraft serves as a stark reminder of the aviation industry’s commitment to prioritizing safety above all else.