Boeing has pushed the delivery of its newest aircraft, the Boeing 777-9 (777X), back to 2026 as it struggles to deal with industrial action on top of production delays.
The news came in an email from Boeing Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg who told staff that they had informed airlines that have ordered the 777X about the delay which he says is caused by “challenges we have faced in development, as well as from the flight test pause and ongoing work stoppage”.
He also warned of job cuts totalling 17,000 staff members with Executives, managers and employees at risk of redundancy.
Not directly referencing the current strike action, he told staff “The state of our business and our future recovery require tough actions”.
Staff in Washington State recently walked out after failing to agree a pay deal despite the Union, International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 751, negotiating what it called the “best ever deal for staff” which included a 25% pay rise.
The Boeing 777X test program was already under pressure following the discovery of a “severed thrust link” during a post-flight inspection which halted flight testing of its 777-9 test aircraft.
The type had originally been targeted for certification in 2021 leading to potentially a 5-year late delivery on the project.
British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Lufthansa are among the airlines who are awaiting delivery of the 777X.
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