NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — According to an internal memo, Fort-Worth based American Airlines is dropping some international flights from its plans for next summer because Boeing failed to deliver planes that were ordered.
Boeing has been unable to deliver its 787 jetliner, which it calls the Dreamliner, for about a year because of a series of manufacturing problems. The twin-aisle jet is popular with airlines for long flights because of its improved fuel efficiency over older planes of similar size.
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American had expected 13 more Dreamliners in its fleet by this winter. Without those planes, “we simply won’t be able to fly as much internationally as we had planned next summer, or as we did in summer 2019,” Chief Revenue Officer Vasu Raja said in the memo to American’s employees.
“Boeing has advised us that they will compensate American for their inability to deliver the aircraft,” he added.
In an emailed statement, Chicago-based Boeing did not address compensation but said it regrets the impact of delayed deliveries on its airline customers.
“Our team is continuing comprehensive inspections and rework, as needed, on undelivered airplanes, while holding transparent discussions” with the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing said. The FAA regulates aircraft manufacturers.
Airline schedules have been upended by the pandemic, and that is particularly true of international flights because of changing rules around the world. The carriers, however, have been encouraged by the increase in traffic since the rollout of vaccines against COVID-19, and they were optimistic about next summer, believing that people who have been stuck at home are eager to travel again.
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American hoped to operate 89% of its 2019 schedule in summer 2022 but is scaling that…