The FAA has issued a directive mandating additional inspections for all Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, an older model than the grounded Boeing 737 MAX 9, which has been prohibited from flying since a door panel incident in early January. Despite being different versions, the FAA notes that the screws and bolts in the door panels of both aircraft are the same.
The incident that triggered these actions occurred on January 5 when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 experienced a fuselage issue, forcing an emergency landing 35 minutes after takeoff and resulting in a significant hole in the plane. The investigation revealed loose screws and bolts in the door panel, prompting the grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
In response to the findings, the FAA is now recommending extra inspections for the Boeing 737-900ER, focusing on four specific points in the door panels to ensure their integrity. Airlines, including United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Air Lines in the United States, are advised to conduct these inspections promptly. The directive currently involves inspections rather than a flight ban for the Boeing 737-900ER.
United Airlines is grappling with lower-than-predicted quarterly results due to issues with its Boeing 737 fleet. The airline has grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 9s and is conducting additional inspections on its Boeing 737-900ERs.
While United Airlines saw substantial profits last year and remains optimistic about 2024, the first quarter of the year is expected to face challenges due to the costs associated with grounding a significant number of aircraft. The airline has 79 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, which are expected to remain grounded for an extended period. Of the 136 Boeing 737-900ERs in its fleet, approximately two-thirds have undergone inspections.
Due to these fleet-related challenges, United Airlines cautions investors to anticipate a loss per share ranging from $35 to $85 in the first quarter of the year.
