The delay in aircraft certification has reached an "unprecedented" level, with Boeing and Airbus delivery delays hitting a record high

The two major global aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, are facing "unprecedented" delays in aircraft certification and delivery, severely impacting airlines' expansion plans and decarbonization goals.

Air France-KLM Group CEO Ben Smith warned during an online press conference for European airlines on Tuesday that the certification wait time for certain long-haul aircraft has reached seven to eight years, setting a historical record.

Smith stated that every supplier is behind schedule, and airlines have seen no signs of improvement since the end of the pandemic. These delays are causing significant backlogs for major airlines in Europe.

Supply Chain Crisis Continues to Plague Aircraft Manufacturers

Since the pandemic severely disrupted supply chains, Boeing and Airbus have struggled to deliver products on time. The Boeing 777X project has become a typical example of delays, with the wide-body aircraft's original delivery timeline pushed back by six years.

According to previous reports by Bloomberg News, the 777X is now expected to enter commercial operation in early 2027, about a year later than previously planned. Major customers like Lufthansa and IAG are still waiting for the delivery of this aircraft.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr stated during the meeting that the U.S. government shutdown has halted aircraft inspections, which has also affected the approval of a type of seat on the company's new Boeing 787 aircraft.

Positive Signals in the Short-Haul Aviation Market

Despite severe delays in long-haul aircraft deliveries, airline executives are showing more optimism about the short-haul aircraft market.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary stated that Boeing has made "significant progress" in increasing the production of the 737 Max jets, although deliveries are still lagging.

This positive signal provides a glimmer of hope for troubled Boeing, which has been working to restore its production and delivery capabilities for the 737 Max.

U.S. Government Shutdown Intensifies Industry Dilemma

The U.S. government shutdown has caused multiple impacts on the aviation industry, halting critical aircraft inspections and affecting international cooperation. Spohr pointed out that the deadlock in Washington has also impacted Lufthansa's flight connections with U.S. partners.

Smith expressed pessimism about improvements in the short term, believing that all participants should not hold out too much hope for the recent situation. This ongoing uncertainty is forcing airlines to reassess their fleet expansion and renewal plans