Allegiant plans to have only a single Boeing 737 MAX in its fleet by year-end 2024 as delays at the beleaguered manufacturer continue. Earlier this year, the ultra-low-cost carrier was set to receive 10 737 MAX jets before gradually lowering its delivery expectations.
The airline took delivery of its first 737 MAX in September, which entered service on Oct. 20. Allegiant initially planned to take delivery of the new jet in early 2024.
An ongoing machinists strike at Boeing has increasingly delayed aircraft deliveries with 737 production effectively halted.
“The Boeing strike has obviously created some additional uncertainty to our latest delivery forecast, and we don’t see this being firmed up until the strike has ended,” Allegiant chief Greg Anderson said during a third-quarter earnings call.
The carrier touted the 737 MAX’s efficiency over its current Airbus fleet, including a 26% improvement in fuel burn. Allegiant has 50 Boeing aircraft on firm order with options for 80 more.
“Based on delays resulting from the stoppage so far, we are planning to end the year with just one MAX aircraft in service alongside 121 A320 family airplanes,” the airline’s CFO Robert Neal added.
In 2025, the airline says it is planning for a “slower delivery profile” of Boeing aircraft, compounded by the strike. In addition, Neal shared that the company is revising its purchase agreement with the manufacturer.
