Boeing Delivery Delays Prompt Route Cuts

One airline is nixing four routes as it awaits new 737 aircraft.

A Copa Airlines 737 MAX 9 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Noah Escobar)

[ Planes ]December 2, 2024 11:43 am ET

By Ryan Ewing

All-Boeing operator Copa Airlines is the latest airline to scale back its network amid aircraft delivery delays. The Panamanian carrier planned to take delivery of 11 new 737 MAXs in 2024 but has since reduced expectations into the low single digits.

According to ch-aviation, Copa will suspend flights between Panama City and Mexico City-Filipe Angeles; Tulum, Mexico; Armenia; and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, due to the Boeing woes.

The airline’s CEO, Pedro Heilbron, noted that Copa hopes to return to these markets by year-end 2025. During a recent earnings call, Heilbron added that all of these destinations have an “alternative airport around the corner,” which Copa also serves.

Copa took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 in July following months of delivery delays. The airline expects to have a total of three 737 MAX 8s by the end of this year.

The carrier expects a fleet count of 112 aircraft by the end of 2024, down from previous expectations.

Extending Older Aircraft

Copa initially planned to retire two 737-700s, but company leadership now plans to extend these aircraft through at least 2025.

“So we are going to stay with those aircraft to make up for delayed Boeing deliveries,” Heilbron added.

The nine 737-700s are among the oldest in the airline’s fleet with an average age of 21 years old.

Fellow all-Boeing 737 operator Alaska Airlines said in a recent earnings release that it is lowering capacity expectations due to Boeing’s ongoing struggles. The carrier’s growth plans have been reduced by approximately two points in the fourth quarter, primarily due to the now-resolved machinists strike.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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