The Boeing 737 Max is facing delays due to supply issues

Boeing said it was facing delays in delivering a “significant number” of the 737 MAX due to a production problem.

The airline said its supplier said the installation of equipment in the rear of the plane did not meet standards.

“This is not an immediate safety issue and the fleet in service can continue to operate safely,” the US-based aircraft maker said.

This is the latest problem for Boeing as the industry faces a shortage of aircraft.

The manufacturing issue affects the 737 Max family of aircraft, including the Max 7, Max 8, and Max 8200 aircraft, as well as the P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.

“We have notified the FAA of the issue and are working to conduct inspections and replace non-conforming fixtures as necessary,” according to the company’s statement.

It has told clients they should expect “fewer near-term” deliveries until the work is done.

Shares in the company fell more than 5% in after-hours trading.

This is the company’s latest delivery delay.

Last month, US transportation regulators allowed Boeing to resume deliveries of its wide-body 787 Dreamliner planes after a data analysis issue. The aircraft manufacturer paused deliveries in February.

Demand for air travel has skyrocketed since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Airlines around the world compete for resources to meet demand.

Boeing reported that its shipments of new planes jumped in the first three months of 2023. Many of the new planes are the 737 Max bought by US carriers Southwest and United Airlines.

Boeing is working to change course after its 737 MAX plane was grounded around the world for more than a year after two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.

It was later found that both crashes were caused by design flaws in the flight control software.