Reuters
Southwest Airlines said on Thursday it anticipates less than half of the new aircraft deliveries it had previously expected from Boeing in 2024 and will take measures to tighten costs, such as voluntary time off programs, as a buffer. Southwest, a loyal Boeing customer, expects to receive 20 aircraft this year, compared with its previous estimate of 46, pressuring the budget carrier's plans to expand capacity to tap into a robust demand environment. Boeing has been under heavy regulatory scrutiny following a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines mid-air panel blowout that led to probes into the manufacturer's safety and quality standards in its production processes.