Alaska Airlines Uncovers Loose Bolts on 737 MAX 9 Jets as United Reevaluates Boeing Orders

The aviation industry is facing a new wave of scrutiny as Alaska Airlines reports finding multiple loose bolts during inspections of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft—prompting questions about Boeing's production standards and shaking airline confidence in future orders.

This follows a severe incident on January 5th, 2023, when an unsettling event took place involving an Alaska Airlines flight: a panel dislodged itself from the aircraft mid-flight, creating a gaping hole in the fuselage and necessitating an immediate emergency landing. The incident fortunately did not result in any fatalities or serious injuries, but it prompted swift action from aviation authorities and the airline itself.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, including those operated by Alaska Airlines, allowing for thorough inspections to be carried out. This evaluation has brought to light a worrying number of loose bolts across Alaska Airlines' 737 MAX 9 fleet, which has understandably set alarms ringing for the airline’s management.

In a candid response to these discoveries, Alaska Airlines' CEO Ben Minicucci didn't hold back his frustration, expressing anger in his interview with NBC News. Minicucci underlined the severity of the situation and its direct impact on the airline's operations, guests, and staff, and he made a pointed call for Boeing to significantly enhance their internal quality control procedures.

The ripple effects of these revelations reached United Airlines, bringing a degree of skepticism about the dependability of Boeing's manufacturing. During a conference call, United's CFO Michael Leskinen highlighted foreseeable delays and reduced confidence in the delivery of new aircraft. United is currently expecting 31 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets out of a total 107 planes set for delivery in the current year.

The future of United's extensive commitments with Boeing also appears uncertain, as the airline contemplates the likelihood of order reductions. United has a standing order for 277 Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets, which are still pending certification, with plans extending throughout the decade, as well as the option to purchase an additional 200 aircraft. Leskinen indicated that the company anticipates a downsizing of its orders and deliveries starting in 2025, a move that could have serious implications for Boeing.

The incident and subsequent discoveries at Alaska Airlines are symptoms of the underlying challenges faced by Boeing in reassuring the aviation world of the safety and reliability of its 737 MAX series. The manufacturer's reputation has been marred by the two fatal crashes of 737 MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which led to the worldwide grounding of the model and extensive investigations into its design and certification process.

This recent development only adds to Boeing's predicaments as it works to rebuild trust amongst airlines, regulators, and the flying public.