Boeing's November Deliveries Hit Lowest Since 2020 Amid Strike

Boeing recorded its slowest November for aircraft deliveries since 2020, completing just 13 commercial aircraft deliveries during the month. The decline reflects the lingering effects of a 53-day workers’ strike at its Seattle facilities, which ended in late October. From January to November, Boeing delivered 318 aircraft, 143 fewer than during the same period last year.

The company reported receiving 49 gross orders in November, a sharp drop from the 114 orders placed in the same month in 2023. Year-to-date, the company logged 427 orders, a decrease of 658 compared to the previous year.

Following the resolution of the labor dispute, Boeing resumed operations at its Renton, Washington, factory, where the 737 MAX, its best-selling aircraft, is produced. A company spokesperson stated that efforts were directed toward “fine-tuning parts and tools and retraining and recertifying workers who had stepped away during the strike.”

The strike, involving approximately 33,000 unionized employees, caused significant disruptions to operations. While the Renton facility is now fully operational, production remains paused at Boeing's Everett plant, which assembles the 777, 777X, and 767 models. Boeing expects production at Everett to restart in the coming days.

The 787 Dreamliner, unaffected by the strike as it is built in a non-unionized South Carolina facility, has faced separate challenges due to shortages in cabin equipment and other components. These supply chain issues have further hampered Boeing's ability to compete with Airbus, which delivered 643 aircraft between January and November, including 84 in November alone.

Boeing continues to rely heavily on the 737 MAX to regain momentum in its delivery schedule and financial recovery. Analysts stress that restoring production levels is critical as the company faces mounting competition from Airbus, whose delivery figures remain robust.