Expect supply chain shortages through 2024, says Boeing

Robert Besser
26 May 2023, 18:38 GMT+10

Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said sector-wide supply chain problems that have hampered global jetliner production might not be solved before the end of 2024
Calhoun previously reported progress in tackling supply chain issues in April, repeating his November forecast that "significant supply chain improvement was unlikely until well into 2024"
The recent manufacturing problems with the best-selling 737 narrow-body jet will not postpone those production schedules for more than maybe a month or a month and a half

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia: Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said sector-wide supply chain problems that have hampered global jetliner production might not be solved before the end of 2024.

Referring to Boeing and its main European rival Airbus, while attending the Qatar Economic Forum hosted by Bloomberg in Doha, Calhoun said, "Priority one for the two airplane manufacturers is stability."

"We have to resolve the supply chain issues and the surprise associated with it; and we have to resolve it sort of once and for all. That is not a short-term job. It sounds like it might be, but I think it could take all of this year and probably all of next year," Calhoun added, according to Reuters.

Calhoun previously reported progress in tackling supply chain issues in April, repeating his November forecast that "significant supply chain improvement was unlikely until well into 2024."

The recent manufacturing problems with the best-selling 737 narrow-body jet will not postpone those production schedules for more than "maybe a month or a month and a half," he added.

Speaking on the same panel, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker urged aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Airbus and Brazil's Embraer to "start looking now, without waiting for each other, to trigger the next wave of innovation."

"It is very important that they should now think about introducing something new into the industry," he said.