United Airlines Requests Pilots to Take Voluntary Unpaid Leave Amid Boeing Delivery Delay

United Airlines has solicited voluntary unpaid leave from its pilots for the month of May due to delays in Boeing deliveries, according to a memo circulated by the pilots’ union.

The airline’s decision to implement voluntary unpaid leave comes in response to a reduction in projected block hours for 2024, attributed to delays in Boeing’s aircraft deliveries. United Airlines stressed that the leave offer is voluntary and aims to address excess staffing resulting from the delivery setback.

The voluntary programs may extend beyond May, potentially affecting schedules for the summer and fall seasons, as outlined in the memo. Despite the unpaid leave, United Airlines intends to continue providing certain benefits to pilots during their time off.

This development highlights the broader ramifications of Boeing’s production challenges on airline operations, particularly impacting United Airlines, which heavily relies on Boeing aircraft for 81% of its mainline operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has increased scrutiny of United Airlines following a series of nearly a dozen incidents, as disclosed in a memo last month.

Previously, United had paused new pilot hiring due to ongoing certification and manufacturing delays at Boeing. Similarly, Southwest Airlines, another major Boeing customer, announced significant reductions in pilot and flight attendant hiring, along with capacity adjustments, due to Boeing’s delivery cuts.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby suggested the potential diversification of aircraft suppliers, considering purchasing jets from Boeing competitor Airbus. Concerns about Boeing’s delivery delays escalated further following an incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft in January.

While United Airlines faces challenges unique to Boeing’s delivery issues, it remains committed to addressing safety concerns raised by recent incidents involving its Boeing fleet. The airline assures customers that it is actively addressing these issues and maintaining a sharp focus on safety.

Boeing’s production challenges have previously prompted airlines to implement cost-saving measures, including furloughs and voluntary buyouts, during the pandemic. United’s latest move to seek voluntary unpaid leave reflects ongoing efforts to navigate the evolving aviation landscape amidst industry-wide disruptions.