AIRLINES are being forced to scrap flights this summer despite it set to be a “bumper” year.
Global travel is set to hit 4.7billion people this year, up from 4.5billion pre-Covid.
ReutersAirlines are being forced to reduce flights due to Boeing delivery delays[/caption]
Despite this, airlines are facing huge problems due to delays with aircraft delivery at both Boeing and Airbus.
Martha Neubauer, senior associate at AeroDynamic Advisory, said airlines are to receive 19 per cent fewer aircraft this year because of it.
In response, airlines have been forced to reduce capacity over the summer.
And there are other ways airlines are attempting to get around the aircraft shortage.
This includes spending billions on repairs to keep flying older, less fuel-efficient jets, although these can take months.
Repair costs at United, Delta and American were up 40 per cent last year from 2019.
Airlines are even spending 30 per cent more on aircraft leases than before the pandemic, said John Heimlich, chief economist at Airlines for America (A4A).
Data from Cirium Ascend Consultancy shows that lease rates for new Airbus A320-200neo and Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft have hit $400,000 per month, the highest since mid-2008.
This is likely to affect passengers not just with fewer flights, but with more expensive tickets due to the unexpected costs affecting airline profits.
Boeing is still reeling from a sprawling crisis that erupted after the Alaska Airlines blowout in January.
Regulators have put a cap on production of the 737 MAX in response.
As many as 650 Airbus A320neo jets could be grounded in the first half of 2024 for inspections to deal with a flaw with RTX Corp’s Pratt & Whitney engines, RTX said last year.
In Europe, low-cost airline Ryanair has cut some routes.
The airline was due to receive 57 new Boeing aircraft.
Due to the delays, the airline expects the figure to be just 40.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said: “We are very disappointed at these latest Boeing delivery delays, but we continue to work with Boeing to maximise the number of new B737 aircraft we receive by the end of June, which we can confidently release for sale to customers during the summer 2024 peak.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
In the United States, United and Southwest have cut back flying and adjusted hiring and staffing plans as well.
It’s not the only flight cancellations Brits can expect this year.
Eastern Airways has confirmed that their Cardiff to Paris Orly route will be cancelled by the end of the month.
The route was the only direct flight between Wales and Paris.
Holidaymakers with package trips to Turkey have been left in need of new flights after Southwind was prevented from travelling throughout Europe.
And Wizz Air will no longer operating from both Birmingham and Liverpool to Cluj-Napoca in Romania.
GettyAirlines including Ryanair have already reduced operations for the summer due to delivery delays[/caption]“}]]