Airplane delivery delays are emerging as a major constraint for airlines trying to ramp up flying to meet strong consumer demand.
Dallas-based Southwest and Fort Worth-based American are among carriers finding that Boeing and Airbus, the industry’s major plane makers, can’t deliver jets as fast as they need them. The delivery woes compound airlines’ yearlong efforts to get enough pilots into planes to fly passengers.
Southwest Airlines reported a $277 million profit on $6.2 billion in revenue Thursday, with a strong outlook for the rest of the year and hopes of restoring its flight network heading into the beginning of 2023. But the second half of next year is clouded by ongoing delays at Boeing blamed on broader supply chain issues, largely in engines.
