United Airlines profit down amid Boeing issues

Iklan
An Airbus A320 passengers aircraft of Spirit airlines arriving from Miamia is pictured while an Airbus A319 of United airlines arrived from Denver are seen at La Guardia Airport on Jan 9, 2024. - (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

WASHINGTON - United Airlines on Monday said it is expecting a significant loss for the current quarter as dozens of Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft remain on the ground, reported dpa news.

The Chicago-based company forecasted adjusted quarterly loss per share of between US$0.35 and US$0.85 in the first quarter of 2024, due to the impact of the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.

Iklan
Iklan

United has 79 planes of this type. The US aviation regulator told airlines to inspect the door plugs on Boeing 737 MAX 9 after a near-accident led that model to come under scrutiny and shake confidence in the US aerospace giant.

An investigation is underway into the chaos that unfolded on Jan 5, when a defective door plug flew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 shortly after taking off from Portland, Oregon.

Iklan

The mid-air blow-out left a gaping hole in the plane carrying 177 people and forced an emergency landing. The FAA has grounded MAX 9 aircraft featuring the door plugs, affecting around 170 aircraft worldwide.

It is unclear when the 737 MAX 9 will be allowed to fly again. United on Monday also released its full-year and fourth-quarter results. In the last quarter of 2023, United's profit fell year-on-year from US$843 million to US$600 million.

Iklan
Iklan

Revenue in the passenger business rose by 11 per cent to US$12.4 billion, while there was a decline of 15 per cent in the cargo business. Overall, revenue rose by 10 per cent to $13.6 billion. - BERNAMA