Allegiant is once again delaying its Boeing 737 MAX entry into service, this time by nearly three months. During its Q1 2024 earnings call, the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) initially expected to begin revenue service with the new aircraft by Q3, however, this has slipped to Q4.
According to this weekend’s Cirium Diio schedule update, Allegiant 737 MAX service is now slated for early October, delayed from August. The aircraft’s first scheduled flight is set for October 2.
Earlier this year, the carrier announced that it would cut its Boeing delivery estimates in half with expectations for six 737 MAXs instead of 12. Allegiant currently operates an all-Airbus fleet.
The Las Vegas-based airline planned to receive its first MAX in January 2024, but slowdowns in production and delivery at the manufacturer have created mounting delays. Allegiant has up to 130 Boeing 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 8200 variants on order, according to Aviation Week.
“We are updating our delivery expectations and planning the business for delivery of six aircraft this year rather than the 12 previously communicated,” added the airline’s finance chief Robert Neal during a first-quarter earnings call. Neal noted that these were not based on forecasts by Boeing, but rather on the airline’s “best estimate.”
In the latest schedule update, the 737 MAXs will initially fly from the airline’s Orlando Sanford base, replacing older A319 and A320 aircraft. The new jets will feature 190 seats.
