The American airline United Airlines has asked pilots to take voluntary unpaid leave next month. United is waiting for new aircraft from the troubled aircraft manufacturer Boeing, but the delivery has been delayed. As a result, there are more pilots than aircraft available.
The request for unpaid leave is the latest move in a series of measures that United Airlines has already taken. In January, CEO Scott Kirby announced that he would no longer expect the delivery of a number of 737 MAX 10 aircraft this year. This year, United should have received 80 of the total of 277 MAX 10s ordered.
That is why the company has also started hiring fewer pilots who should have flown this aircraft. The extra leave by pilots should also reduce overcrowding, according to a spokeswoman for the airline.
Boeing has been in crisis since the beginning of this year due to several defects in its aircraft. That started with a detached door panel from an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9. CEO Dave Calhoun announced last week that he will leave Boeing at the end of this year. Several other top executives are also leaving.
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Tags: planes work United asks pilots furloughed due slow delivery Boeing
